Local landlord joins the fight against fuel poverty » Housing » 24dash.com

Berrybridge Housing is fighting the credit crunch in Dovecot by helping to cut fuel bills and keep homes warm with energy-saving gadgets.

Tenants who are particularly at risk from the cold attended Berrybridge’s first ‘Keeping Warm’ workshop at St Luke’s Church, Princess Drive.

Older residents and tenants learnt about ways to save money and energy while still keeping warm. They also received ‘water hippos’ which reduce the amount of water needed to flush a toilet and reflective radiator panels.

Rhoda Wilkinson, Berrybridge Housing community investment officer, said, “We are aware that many tenants struggle to manage their energy bills and we wanted to share what we have learned as a business with the community.”

Local resident Peggy Owens (pictured) said, “It’s been very good today. Berrybridge are smashing to think of us and our heating and lighting bills. I’ve learnt a lot.”

As fuel prices shot up by, on average, 35%, in the last year, Help the Aged estimated that every 1% increase in price brings 40,000 more families into fuel poverty - where people spend more than a tenth of their income on heating and electric bills.

The workshops are part of Berrybridge Housing’s aims to build greener neighbourhoods where people want to live and since 2003 they have modernised 2,400 of their homes with central heating and double glazing.

Since the first workshop Liverpool City Council invited Berrybridge to a Winter Survival Stall in St George’s Hall on Wednesday 19th November and all tenants and residents are welcome.

Tom McGuire, Berrybridge director, recently called on local MPs to back a campaign to stop energy firms ripping off their poorest customers who use pre-payment meters.