Following Government guidance, BEN staff are now all working from home and arranging virtual meetings. We will continue to post useful information on the website, social media and in our monthly newsletter. Please share anything that you think would be useful for others, especially from our neighbouring counties in the Greater Bristol Area, with Caroline at coordinator@bristolenergynetwork.org.
We are hoping to go-ahead with the BEN Open meeting on May 14th on Re-energising Community Buildings. If it does proceed on that date, it is likely to be BEN’s very first virtual meeting, how exciting!
There is obviously a huge amount of disruption and Community Energy England have gathered some great resources, including running your AGM, business continuity, funding and energy advice here.
We have nabbed the most useful of these and collected some Bristol specific information that we thought you might find useful:
Advice for individuals
- We have published some limited advice for individuals who are struggling with their energy bills here. For more information, contact WHAM with the details below.
Community energy responses
- WHAM continues to receive referrals through their website or freephone 0800 082 2234. Customers can also call this free advice line directly.
- WHAM can help advise on the UK governments agreed measures with the energy industry to support vulnerable people through COVID-19
- Carbon Co-op is launching a free, weekly webinar series covering all aspects of home energy
Energy industry
- Ofgem’s COVID-19 page is where they will publish regulatory updates
- Citizens Advice have published a guidance document for energy suppliers and vulnerable customers that may be useful for community energy organisations engaging with such consumers in their communities
- The Energy Networks Association has a page for COVID-19 updates from energy network companies
Community resources
- Bristol City Council have an information page here including a referral system for vulnerable people and translations of the advice into various community languages
- If you are fit and well and have some time, though I know many people don’t, the Council are also coordinating volunteers through Can Do Bristol
- Acorn are also coordinating volunteers and requests for support across the city here where you can find your local Facebook group
- CAG Oxfordshire have put together a shared document to support community groups with their response to the pandemic
Stay home
Stay safe
Stay well
The Bristol Energy Network team