91传媒

Energy Support

This page provides guidance and support to help residents improve the energy efficiency of their homes, reduce energy costs, and stay warm and safe. It brings together a range of schemes, grants, and practical advice aimed at homeowners, tenants, and landlords, helping them access financial support and make informed choices about heating, insulation, and renewable energy.

Whether you are looking to lower your bills, upgrade your heating system, or explore more sustainable energy options, the information available here outlines the assistance you may be eligible for and how to take the next steps towards a more energy-efficient home

Additional Support

1. Energy Company Obligation

You may be eligible听for energy efficiency improvements,听contact your own utility company听for the ECO scheme if you or a member of the household听are听in receipt of one or more of the following benefits:听

  • Income based Jobseekers allowance (JSA)
  • Income related Employment & Support Allowance (ESA)听
  • Income Support (IS)听
  • Pension Credit Guarantee/Pension Credit Savings听
  • Working Tax Credits (WTC)听
  • Child Tax Credit (CTC)听
  • Universal Credit (UC)听
  • Housing Benefit听
  • Child Benefit听

And鈥痶he EPC rating of your property is D, E, F or G if you are a homeowner, or E, F, or G if you are in social or private rented accommodation.听

Some benefits are subject to household income threshold criteria.

To apply complete the鈥�. For information听contact your utility company to see if they can听offer assistance.

Related documents:听

Complaints process for Eco:听
听听

The Warm Homes Local Grant is an initiative to help homeowners and landlords improve the energy efficiency of their property, for the long term.

You could get free energy saving improvements made to your home if you鈥檙e on a low income, getting certain benefits or living in a certain postcode area.

To be eligible for the grants, your property must meet the following criteria:

  • Have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of D, E, F, or G.
  • Have a total GROSS household income of less than 拢36,000 per year.
  • Have total household savings of less than 拢16,000 per year.

For rental properties, the income eligibility applies to the tenants of the property.

The scheme offers financial support to make this possible, making energy-saving upgrades possible for your property.

How to Apply

To check your eligibility and to apply for a grant, follow this link to the听.

Through the boiler Upgrade scheme, you could听obtain a听grant to cover part of replacing听your听fossil fuel heating systems with a heat pump or biomass boilers听

听and to view an overview of the scheme.

Joining the priority service register听through your own energy supplier or network operators听you听maybe听able to obtain a range of extra help when you need it.听听听

What help is available听听

  • priority support in an emergency
  • wherever possible, advanced notice of scheduled power cuts听
  • an identification and password scheme if someone needs to visit or contact you, helping you feel confident they are genuine
  • the ability to nominate someone to receive communications and bills from your supplier, for example a family member,听carer听or someone you trust听
  • the chance to move your prepayment meter if you听can鈥檛听safely get to it to top up听
  • regular meter reading services听
  • account info and bills in large print or braille
  • assistance听reconnecting your gas supply听

You can join the register听听

  • You have reached state pension age听
  • Are pregnant, or have young children
  • Struggle with听speaking or reading English听
  • Living with a disability or a听long term听medical condition听

Mental Health Conditions听

  • Conditions affecting your sight,听heating听or sense of smell听
  • Conditions that mean to need to use medical equipment that requires a power supply听

Help is also available if your circumstances have recently changed, for example if you:听

  • are recovering from an injury, or need support after a stay in hospital听
  • have been bereaved
  • have lost your job听

For further information contact听your听gas and electricity supplier听or听Network Provider听听

If you are struggling with your water bills, Anglian water听offer听an extra care听assessment to听identify听whether you are eligible for a discounted tariff and other support schemes.听听Click on the below for further information听

Damp & Mould听听

Linking to听Awaabs听Law听听

Linking to NEA 鈥撎�

Linking to Energy saving Trust听

CO Is a poisonous gas that you听can听not听see, smell or taste, and breathing can be deadly.听听Especially in the winter months, when we tend to close our windows and doors and turn up the central heating to keep warm.听

Check for signs of CO in your Home听:

  • A floppy yellow/orange flame on your gas hob instead of blue.听
  • Soot and/or yellow brown staining around your appliances听
  • Excessive Condensation near your gas appliances
  • Your pilot light on your boiler听frequently听blows out听

Protect your household and reduce the risks听

  • Buy a CO alarm that will alert you to a听potential leaks听
  • Make sure your alarm is correctly positioned and tested regular basis
  • Have your chimney and flues inspected and swept by a registered professional
  • Have your gas appliances serviced annually by a Gas safe registered engineer

The Government announced听the delivery of the Warm Home Plan January 2026.听

听鈥� Full Plan听

The Warm Homes Plan summary听provides an overview听of the scheme and the aims and听objectives听set out in the plan.

Further details will be听announced听later on听in the year.

.

An energy performance certificates听shows听the energy rating of your property and how to improve the property.听听Any properties for sale or rent听have to听show a听valid Energy performance听Certificate.听
To check your energy performance听certificate ,听click the below听听
听

Alternatively,听if you would like a new Energy performance听certificate, click the below听
听

Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards听
Guidance for Landlords of听domestic听private rented property on how听to听comply with听the 2018 Minimum Level of听Energy efficiency Standard (EPC band E)听

听

Some helpful advice

  • Switch appliances off instead of using standby
  • Turn off the lights
  • Don鈥檛 overfill the kettle
  • Turn radiators down in rooms you aren鈥檛 using
  • Do not cancel your direct debit. Speak to your energy supplier and it will help you to arrange a plan that you can afford. Citizens Advice has lots of information that can help you if you are struggling to pay your energy bills 鈥撎�
  • Take and submit regular meter readings 鈥� This mean that your bill will be accurate and not estimated
  • Check if you are eligible for extra help or benefits 鈥撎�
  • For free advice on energy bills and keeping your home warm and safe 鈥撎�
  • 听an independent, respected and trusted voice on energy efficiency and clean energy solutions.
  • 听offers impartial and independent advice to help you reduce bills and improve the energy efficiency of your home.
    Struggling to pay your bills? Visit the听.

Andrew Deeley

Trustee

Andrew has built his career across a wide range of business sectors, working his way up to board level and gaining experience in all the key areas of running and growing organisations. Alongside this commercial background, he has a long-standing commitment to the charity and community sector, where he has helped secure funding for projects ranging from youth initiatives to major heritage and regeneration schemes. He is particularly focused on encouraging philanthropy in Lincolnshire, connecting local donors and advisors with community needs, and ensuring that resources are directed where they can make the biggest difference across the county.

Craig Cooksley

Trustee

Craig brings over 30 years of expertise in innovation, media, and marketing to 91传媒, with a passion for transforming lives through innovation. With a background in electronics, he applied his technology and transformation expertise at Reach PLC, parent of the Mirror Newspaper, as Head of Innovation, driving digital advancements.

After three years in Asia supporting tech startups, he returned to the UK to launch 4th Revolution, a marketing and innovation consultancy. His philanthropy includes leading a 拢10 million West Midlands RGF project, helping fund early-stage businesses and startups, and co-founding LoveBrum, a Birmingham-based charity distributing grants to community projects to enhance Birmingham. Based in Skegness, Craig is dedicated to improving lives in Lincolnshire through better access to training and funding.

Danielle Lowther

Trustee

Danielle鈥檚 main reason for wanting to be part of the Foundation was the amazing work it鈥檚 undertakes to make life better for local people and organisations. Danielle currently work鈥檚 for Lincolnshire Co-op as a Senior Community Co-ordinator and is very passionate about community development especially in Lincolnshire where she has spent most of her life. Danielle has extensive experience of project/event management and networking in communities which she hopes she will be able to use her skills to contribute to the Foundation as Trustee.

John Maitland

Trustee

John was born in Lincolnshire and after a short stint in the Army, he spent his career in Financial Services both in London and abroad. After over 30 years in Banking, John ended his Executive career as CEO of Kleinwort Hambros Bank and has now returned full time to Lincolnshire. John joined the Foundation at the end of 2020 and is looking forward to helping the them move forward in the future.

Stephen Ryder

Trustee

Former Chair, Stephen, with a background in education and journalism, assumed the role of Managing Director of CPO in April 2006. His daily tasks involve overseeing the organisation and driving business development. Stephen’s commitment to using education to alleviate disadvantage and poverty in local communities is evident in all endeavors undertaken by him and his team at CPO. In addition to his primary role, Stephen serves as the Community Engagement Manager for Rethink Mental Illness and chairs the Mental Health Alliance.

He leads the Preventative & Early Help Strategic Board for Children’s Services, participates in the Youth Partnership Board, serves as Vice Chair of the Youth Engagement Alliance and the Youth Justice Steering Group. Furthermore, he holds the position of Vice Chair for the NEL VCSE Alliance and the NEL VCSE Forum, along with being a Governor at John Whitgift Academy.

Paula Baumber

Trustee

Before signing up as a trustee, Paula was the governors who steered our original 鈥渃ommunity bank鈥�, the cornerstone of our early endowment building. Paula worked in banking for nearly 30 years, specialising in governance and risk management. With the Foundation she leads on the development of our Domestic Abuse response: developing, commissioning and co funding service provision.

Lizzie Milligan-Manby

Vice Chair

For many years Lizzie was attached to the Princes Trust – 10 of which as Lincolnshire chair. She now does a similar (voluntary) job for the Foundation, overseeing our Make-a-Start programme (small grants for personal development). She has expended huge amounts of energy on fund raising 鈥� not least 鈥淥ne Day More鈥�: 3 days of outdoor opera at Doddington Hall.

Paul Scott

Chair

Paul, with a background in business management, previously served as a director at the Grimsby Enterprise Agency and the National Federation of Enterprise Agencies. He actively manages his own business and is deeply engaged in community development along the east coast of Lincolnshire. Paul has long been a trustee of the Community Foundation and resumed his role as chairman, currently participating in the finance sub-group committee. His areas of focus include health and social inequalities, enterprise development, and cultural heritage.

Cara Elliott

Finance & Grantmaker

Office: 01529 305825

Email

Cara supports the organisation鈥檚 financial operations to help ensure that funding reaches the people and projects that need it most. She holds an AAT Advanced Diploma in Accounting Level 3 qualification in Bookkeeping (achieved in 2021), and brings a strong focus on accuracy, organisation, and accountability to the organisation. Before moving into finance, Cara gained valuable experience working directly with members of the public and supporting young adults with learning difficulties.

These roles developed her communication skills, patience, and a deep appreciation for the positive impact that inclusive, community-focused work can have. She is passionate about combining her financial skills with purpose-driven work that makes a real difference. Cara currently works on the delivery of the Household Support Fund, The Big Lincolnshire Welcome Fund and manages the Thonock Aspiration Fund for Schools (TAFS).

Aaron Bailey

Data Researcher & Grantmaker

Office: 01529 305825

Email

Aaron formally joined the Foundation鈥檚 team in November 2023, having already worked closely with the organisation through the creation and development of the Lincolnshire Visual Intelligence System (LVIS).

Since joining the team, Aaron has continued to develop and update LVIS, which remains a freely accessible tool designed to identify potential pockets of deprivation across Greater Lincolnshire, down to street level and by theme.

Alongside his work on LVIS, Aaron has further developed his role as a Grantmaker, leading on the delivery of a number of individual-based grant schemes. These include the Make-A-StarT (MAST) Fund, the Household Support Fund, and most recently, the Crisis and Resilience Fund: Heating Oil Support Schemes.

Cavan Collins

Grantmaker

Office: 01529 305825

Email

Following his time at Cardiff University learning about people and places across the world as part of his Human Geography degree, Cavan came back to Lincolnshire and joined the Foundation on a part-time basis in July 2022 to support community organisations and individuals within Greater Lincolnshire. Helping colleagues in an administrative capacity to distribute grant funding at first, he has since grown to become a full-time member of 91传媒鈥檚 Grants Team and is a familiar face to applicants throughout the application process across a number of schemes he has worked on including the UKSPF GRASSroots Grant Scheme, Household Support Fund and both the Birchwood and CCC Big Local. He also leads on various programmes including the Michael Cornish Core Grants Programme and the ELIF GRASSroots Grant Scheme.

Hayley Crawford

Grantmaker

Office: 01529 305825

Mobile: 07939 563296

Email

Hayley joined the Foundation in April 2022, initially serving in an administrative capacity and as a Finance Officer, before transitioning to her current role as a Grantmaker. She has worked on a number of funds within the Foundation including Rural England Prosperity Fund, North Kesteven Lottery Grant Scheme and Evan Cornish Grassroots Fund, empowering community groups across Greater Lincolnshire to access vital funding for transformative local initiatives. With a background in the legal and private healthcare sectors, Hayley brings a unique perspective and a commitment to fostering vibrant, inclusive communities.

Having returned to the U.K. from South Africa in 2021, she is passionate about reconnecting with her roots and advancing the Foundations mission to help Lincolnshire thrive.

Katie Littlewood

Grantmaker

Office: 01529 305825

Mobile: 07375 676593

Email

Prior to joining the Foundation in 2020, for 20yrs. Katie worked in Early Years Education supporting children and families locally. Katie has in the past played an active role in the community giving her time to run a local Brownie pack and sit on other committees such as The village Feast & the local village hall. Katie now has a young family and spends her much of her free time in the great outdoors and occasionally helping at her children鈥檚 Beaver & Scout groups. At the Foundation, Katie manages 7 Funds including the Horncastle Health & Wellbeing, and the 6 renewable Funds LCF manage stretching across Greater Lincolnshire.

Helen Cater

Grantmaker

Office: 01529 305825

Mobile: 07591 916305

Email

Helen has been with the 91传媒 since January 2018. Before joining the foundation, Helen’s background has been in project and grant scheme management and uses this experience to help administer the Community Foundation鈥檚 grant programmes which enables the Foundation to make a bigger impact in the community.

Claire Edwards

Marketing, Communications & Grantmaker

Office: 01529 305825

Mobile: 07534 693652

Email

Claire joined the Foundation in 2021. Growing up in North East Lincolnshire, she travelled across the country as an RAF spouse, before coming back home to Lincolnshire.

Her deep connection to the people and locations in the county drives her passion. With a background in various sectors including voluntary, legal, and business, she takes pleasure in supporting all community members.

Claire actively volunteers, serving as a community responder and as Chair of a local primary school PTA.

Claire currently works on the SWEF and Crisis and Resilience Fund: Oil Support.

Helen Kearseley - Cree

Enterprise Lead

Office: 01529 305825

Mobile: 07795 093682

Email

Helen started working in the VCSE sector in 1994 on an employment and skills project for (ex)offenders, which linked to her Masters in Criminology background. She then moved into community development work, still on the community safety theme, developing that project into wider social regeneration. She has been the CEO of three different charities, two of which are defined as VCSE Local Infrastructure and the third was a Rural Community Council.

After taking a short break from the sector, she became a qualified secondary school teacher and is currently using these skills in the employer supported volunteering work she currently undertakes in schools on careers. The GLAP (Gainsborough Local Access Programme) she manages is a national pilot, funded by Access and Big Society Capital to 鈥榯est鈥� how place based enterprise development alongside local access to social investment can positively impact a defined area.

Sue Fortune

CEO

Office: 01529 305825

Mobile: 07908 208838

Email

Sue has been with the Foundation since its inception in 2002, following a successful legal career in Durham, London and within a Local Authority. Before being appointed CEO in 2019, she spent 16 years at LCF as a Grantmaker delivering millions of pounds in grant aid to community organisations and individuals across Lincolnshire, always championing the smaller, locally led groups and organisations. Throughout this time, she managed a huge range of schemes, from micro grants to million pound place based (community led) programmes.听

er work helped build long-lasting relationships and embed the Foundation鈥檚 reputation as a trusted, approachable funder and partner. Before moving to Lincolnshire, she raised funds to support a local dog rescue charity and went on to adopt three herself. After settling in a small Lincolnshire village, she continued her fundraising efforts bringing local groups together as part of an annual fundraiser, fuelling her ambition to support communities and help others in the longer term. More recently, has discovered a penchant for travel and will regale and entertain others with her stories and adventures.

Helen Kearseley - Cree

Enterprise Lead

Office: 01529 305825

Mobile: 07795 093682

Email

Helen started working in the VCSE sector in 1994 on an employment and skills project for (ex)offenders, which linked to her Masters in Criminology background. She then moved into community development work, still on the community safety theme, developing that project into wider social regeneration. She has been the CEO of three different charities, two of which are defined as VCSE Local Infrastructure and the third was a Rural Community Council. After taking a short break from the sector, she became a qualified secondary school teacher and is currently using these skills in the employer supported volunteering work she currently undertakes in schools on careers. The GLAP (Gainsborough Local Access Programme) she manages is a national pilot, funded by Access and Big Society Capital to 鈥榯est鈥� how place based enterprise development alongside local access to social investment can positively impact a defined area.