SOS-UK is really excited to have just launched a 2-year project called Homes Fit For Study (HFFS) that will be delivered in partnership with National Energy Action (NEA) and will focus on helping students reduce their exposure to energy poverty. The project is funded by the Energy Industry Voluntary Redress Scheme managed the Energy Saving Trust, and builds on some of the work we delivered through the SAVES 2 project.
Through Homes fit for Study, SOS-UK aims to support over 21,500 students to save 3,170,800 kWh of energy and 556 tonnes of CO2 through several interventions. Exposure to fuel poverty will be alleviated through providing high quality home energy advice to students, living in the private rented sector, supporting them to:
- Adopt energy saving habits through a behaviour change and awareness raising campaign
- Implement low/no cost energy efficiency measures
- Improve their thermal comfort and understand their heating systems
- Learn to understand energy bills and tariffs, including switching advice and support, in particular those already struggling with their bills
- Seek out energy efficient properties and appliances
Home energy audits will be delivered by 100 trained student home energy advisors, providing peer-to-peer advice. We are very excited that 20 of those undertaking the initial training will be able to go on and receive a City & Guilds level 3 qualification, helping them develop new skills and increase their future employability.
This project is very important to us as students have a higher risk of falling into energy poverty compared to other demographic groups, yet are not sufficiently targeted through policy interventions. Coupled with limited knowledge and experience of how to navigate the energy system, and low incomes, means students are vulnerable to energy poverty. This can have a significant impact on their physical and mental health, and consequently impact their wellbeing and academic attainment.
If you are an education institution who would like to bring the project to your campus or a student who would like to receive free training please get in touch with jade.monroe@sos-uk.org