THE Churn Project in Cirencester hosted an event today to coincide with National Fuel Poverty Day (NFPD) and promote what help is available for those in need.

NFPD highlights the problems faced by those struggling to keep warm in their homes and the work being done to tackle the issues.

Warm and Well, a project delivered by the charity Severn Wye Energy Agency, has organised a series of six information events, one in each local authority in Gloucestershire that will help people to keep warmer, healthier and save money at home.

11.5 per cent of households in Gloucestershire are living in fuel poverty, which is higher than the national average of 10.8 per cent, according to the latest figures.

Warm and Well is running the events in partnership with Age UK, Citizens Advice and Gloucestershire Rural Community Council.

Ruth Davey, Warm and Well Partnerships coordinator, said: “We are delighted to be working with our partners.

We all offer very beneficial services to people who are living in cold and often damp homes, and are struggling to pay their fuel bills.

By working together we can reach more people in a more integrated way. People can come along to find out how to save energy in their homes, reduce their fuel bills, switch energy supplier, check benefit eligibility, and find out about local activities that will improve their health and wellbeing.”

The Warm and Well team of trained energy advisors give advice 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday on the free energy advice line 0800 500 3076.

They also offer free home energy visits to homeowners or households who privately rent their properties.

The team has been providing free local home energy advice since 2001 and has been involved in the installation of over 60,000 energy efficiency measures.

It is funded by Gloucestershire County Council and all the local authorities in the county.

For more information, visit warmandwell.co.uk