WHAM - Warmer Homes, Advice and Money

WHAM (www.cse.org.uk/projects/view/1337) is an innovative model for supporting Bristol and North Somerset’s most vulnerable residents by providing advice on energy, money, benefits and carrying out home repairs. With a budget of over 1 million €, the support offered by the core organisations covers:

• Advice on how to monitor, check and pay for your energy bills.
• Help to make your home safe and secure.
• Legal, immigration and housing advice.
• Advice on benefits and money.
• Help with budgeting and debt advice.
• Tips on energy use and cutting bills
• Access to grants for heating repairs and upgrades.

WHAM employs 7 caseworkers who rotate between partner organisations co-ordinating support and acting as a single point of contact for the client who will have their mobile number and email address. A case is not closed until all of the support from the partners is complete. Home visits can be undertaken if needed (subject to Covid-19 restrictions). Some of the project's results are proximity with people, one-on-one meetings and personalised monitoring inspire trust and make beneficiaries happy.

The project started in 2017 and was completed in 2021. It benefited the disabled, elderly, energy-poor and low-income consumers. It addressed the topics of health, Covid-19, energy access and consumption, energy audits, social support and vulnerable consumers (disabled, students, tenants, public housing inhabitants).