Volunteers are wanted to help the Isle of Wight Footprint Trust deal with what it calls 'unprecedented levels of enquiries' from Islanders worried about energy price rises.
It is feared some are facing energy bills of around £4,650 per year, from January 2023.
Before Covid-19, fuel poverty levels on the Isle of Wight stood at about 11 per cent of households - and that has now risen to 18 per cent, according to the charity.
The Footprint Trust fears this will hit 30 per cent by the end of the winter - which means more than 20,000 households will be forced to choose between heating and eating.
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The Footprint Trust helps around 2,000 fuel-poor residents every year and is expecting that to double over the next year.
The charity's Ray Harrington-Vail said he fears residents will sit in the cold and not put the heating on, or default on household payments.
He is worried some may cancel Direct Debits end up in court.
He is aiming to recruit Energy Helpmates, who would volunteer to provide basic information and point residents towards specialist help, where required.
Read more:
- Isle of Wight businesses and crippling energy costs
- Nearly one in four ‘won’t turn on heating this winter’ as energy bills soar
Skills including retired electricians, plumbers, gas fitters, engineers and teachers would be ideal, the charity says, and anyone with numeracy skills, a desire to help, and a DBS check would be considered to receive the approved national City & Guilds training.
Will YOU volunteer as an Energy Helpmate for The Footprint Trust? Here's how to find out more...
- Informal open evening in Newport, on Tuesday, September 6
- Email ray@footprint-trust.co.uk or call 01983 822282
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