Stakeholder priorities and key challenges
We asked stakeholders: Are there any new/emerging themes or gaps in support that we should focus attention on?
Awareness of water support
Improving awareness of support available from water companies.
Hard to reach chaotic lifestyle individuals
Reaching people with chaotic lifestyles remains a significant challenge.
Fatigue
Customers experiencing ongoing fatigue with the cost-of-living pressures.
Self disconnection with PPMs
Self disconnection from prepayment meters continues to be a concern.
Energy costs. Hard of hearing & CO alarms
Rising energy costs and the need for accessible CO alarms for those who are hard of hearing.
The fear of smart meters!
Ongoing fear and mistrust around smart meters persists.
Financial education
A continued need for financial education and money management support.
Helping people to maximise benefits from new technologies
Supporting customers to use new technologies to improve their outcomes.
Practical support for boiler replacement
Helping customers replace boilers before breakdowns to prevent crisis.
Understanding industry jargon and energy debt
Simplifying complex language and tackling the impact of energy debt.
Food bank partnership focus
At The Bread and Butter Thing, our focus is food, with partnerships across financial security, energy, health and digital.
More help for people in energy arrears
Increased demand for support for those struggling with energy arrears.
Young families getting into debt
Young families facing unprecedented debt – practical support is vital.
Faith venues, non-English speakers and vulnerable groups
Reaching diverse communities including non-English speakers, pregnant customers and families with children (0–5).
Boosting financial literacy
Strengthening financial literacy to support better decision making.
Medical conditions that drive higher gas usage
Understanding and supporting customers with medical conditions that increase their energy needs.
COPD
Continued support needed for customers living with COPD.
CO monitors for hard of hearing/deaf customers
Improved CO monitoring solutions for customers who are hard of hearing or deaf.
Early intervention – proactive rather than crisis support
A strong call for early intervention to prevent crisis and reduce demand.
CO awareness and safety
Raising awareness and improving safety around carbon monoxide.
Partners highlighted a wide range of challenges and opportunities.
Continued collaboration, earlier support and tailored solutions are key to improving outcomes for customers in vulnerable situations.
