The British Gas Energy Trust are funding a project to target fuel poverty in the fourteen most deprived areas of the UK. Nottinghamshire was highlighted as one of the areas for the project.

Advice Nottingham (a consortium of six advice agencies) are running the project with four part-time advisers based at four different advice centres: Bestwood Advice Centre, Meadows Advice Group, Nottingham Law Centre and St Ann's Advice Centre.

The project is focused in Nottingham City, but referrals from people living in Nottinghamshire can also be taken. It is available to all residents at risk of fuel poverty/ in fuel poverty/ in fuel debt.

The Fuel Energy Adviser, Aqeela Bashir, can assist with a range of issues:

• Checking benefit entitlements, making applications and supporting appeals
   

• Managing fuel debts and arrears

• Applications to British Gas Energy Trust to pay off gas and electricity arrears for British Gas  customers

• Trust fund applications for Eon Next, EDF, Scottish Power, OVO, Scottish Power, SSE and Utilita 

• Managing general debts and arrears

• Application for charitable grants

• Energy efficiency advice 

• Signposting to energy schemes, such as free insulation and boiler replacement schemes