Kent hosted its first ever Energy Pop-up Shop in Tunbridge Wells. For five days from 2 to 6 February 2015, it was organised by Communities Matter in partnership with Town & Country Housing and Big Energy Saving Network. This initiative forms part of: • Communities Matter’s Energy advice service which offers practical independent advice to local people, encouraging them to make their homes more energy efficient, help reduce fuel bills and tackle local fuel poverty. • Town & Country Housing Foundation’s aim to find those who need help at home to stay warm in winter and save money on their fuel bills where they can. • The Sussex Big Energy Saving Network through which Communities Matter staff are trained by National Energy Action to provide independent energy bill switching advice. Objectives The objectives of this energy efficiency initiative are to: • Help vulnerable consumers switch tariff or supplier (and save £200 a year on average) • Help them get the Warm Home Discount (and gain £140 a year) • Encourage them to be put on the priority service register • Ensure they can access other free energy saving schemes such as the Winter Home Check Service (worth £ 200)

With 120 visitors to the Energy Pop-up Shop and 56 energy bills checked, we reached a large number of people directly. • Of those 56 people, 75% (42) were home owners and 25% (14) housing association. • Group visits during the week added another 93 people contacted directly, giving information on fuel poverty, energy bill checking tips, advice on energy efficiency at home and priority register awareness. • There were 8 people identified as at risk, with Winter Home Check visits set up by Family Mosaic