A GRANT of £6million will fund a three-year programme helping people living in fuel poverty in Braintree, among other areas across England.

Groundwork and the Cadent Foundation have announced their Stay Warm, Stay Well campaigner, which is intended to provide assistance to thousands of households struggling with their energy bills.

Groundwork's energy efficiency advisors, known as Green Doctors, will visit homes and offer practical guidance on energy saving, behaviour change tips and referrals to support services including debt advice and food banks. 

Over the course of the three-year scheme, more than 14,500 consultations will take place in regions across England, with a particular focus on vulnerable households. 

Graham Duxbury, Groundwork’s UK chief executive, said the funding "couldn’t be coming at a more important time". 

He said: “Feedback from our Green Doctors is that they’re visiting an increasing number of people who are taking drastic measures to make ends meet – from skipping meals to living in permanently cold, damp homes – with many falling into debt. 

“We’re also seeing more working people who are ineligible for government support but who still need advice on how to reduce their bills. 

“We’re delighted that the Cadent Foundation is able to provide strategic, multi-year support for our Green Doctors, which will help us expand our service to more people and ensure we have a workforce able to meet growing demand.”

Julia Dwyer, director of the Cadent Foundation, said: “We’ve learnt a lot throughout the first phase, which supported more than 10,000 households.

"Being able to fund the training of local people, to advise and guide their own communities on energy efficiency and money management, is really powerful.

“We truly believe that a solid knowledge of how to optimise the energy efficiency of a home, is the key to alleviating fuel poverty in the long-term.

"The next stage in our partnership will allow us to expand the programme even further, increasing our involvement and doubling the amount of funding to help even more families.”

Groundwork has also developed a new section of its website, Get Energy Help, offering advice on different ways to save energy, stay warm and reduce bills.

For more information, visit groundwork.org.uk/getenergyhelp.