People living with HIV to get help with energy bills

Londoners suffering from HIV are now better equipped to save money on their energy bills. Terrence Higgins Trust, a leading HIV charity, has today launched its Big Energy Saving Network […]

Londoners suffering from HIV are now better equipped to save money on their energy bills.

Terrence Higgins Trust, a leading HIV charity, has today launched its Big Energy Saving Network to help those living with the disease avoid fuel poverty.

The scheme’s launch coincides with the start of the Big Energy Saving Week and aims to provide support and advice by hosting workshops for HIV patients and frontline workers.

With one in six people with the virus living in poverty, the service has been set up to help them battle increasing energy costs, cuts to HIV support, changes to the benefits system and the arrival of winter weather.

Funded by BEIS, it will provide impartial advice on subjects like taking control of energy supply, switching to better tariffs and getting the cheapest bills.

An anonymous HIV sufferer attended the first workshop and said: “It was an eye-opener. I had never thought of changing energy supplier, and was not even aware about tariffs. The advice has enabled me to apply for a Warm Home discount, I contacted my supplier and my energy bills have been reduced. Before this, I was struggling with rising energy bills, but now I feel empowered and I know my options, thanks to Terrence Higgins Trust.”

The energy market will be part of the discussions at the Energy Live 2016 conference in London this Thursday. Join in the discussions using #EL2016.

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