Arun & Chichester Citizens Advice and Carers Support West Sussex
Helping 3,000 West Sussex carers to maintain safe and warm homes
Our project at a glance
- Priority need group: Carers
- Strategic priority area: Supporting priority vulnerability groups to access tailored support services
- Support target: 3,060 households over 15 months
- Duration: January 2025 to March 2026
- Investment: £279,631 over 15 months
- Forecast SROI: £14.96
The client wanted to say that they are really, really pleased with the service. They said that the advisor has been absolutely amazing and said that the service has been a lifeline. The client went on to say they feel the advice that the advisor has provided around energy will make big savings to them.
Energy for Carers team member
Why we’re working together
Research from Carers UK identified carers faced unprecedented pressure on their finances because of the cost-of-living crisis. The State of Caring 2022 research found a quarter of carers (25%) are cutting back on essentials like food or heating and nearly two thirds (63%) are extremely worried about managing their monthly costs.
This national picture mirrors the situation at a country level. Carers Support West Sussex (CSWS) has 31,000 carers registered with them and is the sole provider of the county council-funded carer support services for adults across West Sussex. In its recent Engagement Survey, 59% of carers said they have financial worries.
Arun & Chichester Citizens Advice (ACCA) provides impartial and independent advice for households on issues including debt, energy and housing. Despite 2021 Census data recording 72,815 unpaid carers in West Sussex – around 8% of the county’s population – only a small proportion of people accessing its energy advice service self-identify as carers. This suggests the current format may not be accessible to all carers needing energy support.
We’ve co-designed a new partnership with Carers Support West Sussex and Arun & Chichester Citizens Advice to ensure carers in West Sussex can keep themselves and their cared-for warm and well all year round. By introducing a preventative approach to energy advice, we’ll keep more vulnerable individuals safe at home, reduce avoidable need for GP and hospital services, maximise carers’ incomes and improve their access to emotional, practical and peer support.
Project objectives
- Training frontline workers and volunteers on energy and carer awareness
- Providing West Sussex carers with personalised energy advice
- Promoting the Energy for Carers service to 40,000 local carers through a multi-channel awareness campaign
- Supporting eligible households to sign up for the Priority Services Register
- Raising awareness of carbon monoxide safety and providing free CO alarms to households most at risk of CO harm
How we’re working together
Training for frontline workers
Our programme is training frontline workers in both organisations to help carers stay safe, warm and well at home. Within Arun & Chichester Citizens Advice, energy advisers receive training to proactively identify carers and provide appropriate support. The training for Carers Support West Sussex allows their teams to proactively start energy conversations and help carers who are struggling to maintain a safe and warm home.
Personalised energy advice service for carers
Carers Support West Sussex is using its existing caring groups and community services to proactively advise carers on energy-related behaviour change, wellbeing, income maximisation and benefits. For carers in need of more in-depth advice and support, the Carers Support West Sussex team refers these households to the specialist energy team at Arun & Chichester Citizens Advice.
Our programme is enabling Arun & Chichester Citizens Advice to expand its energy team to offer more appointments for carers. During the appointments, advisers support carers with a range of energy-related issues including advice on carbon monoxide safety, information on carbon monoxide safety and help signing up for the Priority Services Register, as well as advice on how to retrofit their home with energy efficiency measures to ensure it is fit for the future.
As well as energy safeguarding, the advisers are supporting carers with income maximisation by running benefits checks to identify eligibility, reducing energy debt and applying for emergency help where needed.
Awareness raising campaign
We’re raising awareness of the support available to West Sussex carers through a multi-channel campaign encompassing direct mailers, social media, websites and newsletters. We aim to reach 40,000 carers with information on local support services, as well as sharing information about carbon monoxide safety, energy efficiency and the Priority Services Register.
How to get involved
Accessing the Energy for Carers service
As one of our VCMA network partners, you can refer carers in West Sussex for help through the Carers Support West Sussex website.
If you’re a carer living in West Sussex and need help with energy, benefit or debt issues, you can request help from the Energy for Carers service by completing the online referral form.
Becoming a partner
You can find out more about partnering with both organisations on the Arun & Chichester Citizens Advice website or the Carers Support West Sussex website.
Through our partnership, we’re ensuring that carers in West Sussex receive the support they need to manage energy costs, access financial assistance, and improve their overall well-being. Together, we’re empowering carers with the knowledge and resources to navigate challenges with confidence.