Switch-to-Save (360G-SCVO-a11b000000Etr1zAAB)

Changeworks knows from supporting people in fuel poverty that many know they are paying too much, do not know how to achieve savings, and/or have barriers preventing them switching. With Money Advice Trust funding they have already piloted digital switching workshops with Voices of Carers Across Lothian (VOCAL) taking 40 carers through tariff comparison websites and switching online. From this experience they know switching barriers for older attendees was compounded by a lack of IT confidence/skills. Building on this experience, they will deliver 15 step-by-step workshops tailored to supporting older people living in/at risk of fuel poverty in Edinburgh to gain confidence in basic digital skills (e.g. using search engines, comparison websites, secure websites, and accessing support services) to overcome barriers to switching supplier/tariff. Workshops will promote benefits of digital skills and switching and attendees will be invited to bring their own digital devices and energy bills or use the resources available. Some may need further support/be unable to access a workshop, so 1-2-1 appointments in venues/home visit as agreed with each older person. Workshops will be delivered by an Affordable Warmth Advisor and the 1-2-1 support will be delivered by the Advisor or a trained volunteer. Volunteers will be recruited from their Heat Heroes volunteer team and trained to be digital switching champions (volunteers are already trained to deliver basic energy efficiency advice for older people).