Today, British Gas and Post Office announce 18 new locations for its successful money and energy advice pop-ups, running 28 events between January and March 2023. This follows a successful year which saw the energy provider offer free, independent energy advice to communities at 102 events across 53 locations taking place in Post Offices last year.
The Pop-Ups confirmed for 2023 will provide people in Maldon with straight answers to their most pressing energy questions and direct them to the independent advice available through British Gas Energy Trust and the organisations they fund, including how to access energy saving advice and grants of up to £1,500.
The second phase of the Pop-Ups was launched due to the success of the pilot in 2022 and as a response to research* from British Gas that revealed more than 7 in 10 people are still worried about how they’ll cope financially with the rising cost of energy. The new Pop-ups aim to reach even more of the country and help thousands more people this Winter, with Maldon’s Pop-Up planned for 12th January and in the following locations, starting from the 10th January.
· Barnet – 10th and 11th January
· Maldon – 12th January
· Sittingbourne – 13th January
· Lancashire – 17th January
· Liverpool – 18th and 19th January
· Enfield – 24th and 25th January
· Margate – 26th and 27th January
· Sheffield – 14th and 15th February
· Doncaster – 16th February
· Taunton – 21st February
· Swindon – 22nd February
· St Leonards – 7th March
· Merthyr Tydfil – 14th and Wed 15th March
· Caerphilly – 16th March
· Glasgow – S Lanarkshire 21st and 22nd March
· Aberdeen – 23rd and 24th March
· Stornoway – 27th and 28th March
· Orkney – 29th and 30th March
With research showing that nearly half (46%) of Brits feel confused about the support available for their energy bills and over a third (37%) don’t know where to find accurate advice there is a real need for face to face, on the ground initiatives such as these.
British Gas Post Office Pop-Ups aim to reassure people, by having their questions and concerns answered by an expert in an environment that’s familiar, safe and local to them. More importantly, at Maldon’s event, money and energy advisers from local British Gas Energy Trust funded organisation, Citizen’s Advice Essex will be offering an in-depth overview of the support available, signposting people to other organisations who may be able to help, checking benefits entitlements and providing free energy-saving tips and advice.
Jessica Taplin, British Gas Energy Trust Chief Executive said: “The previous Pop-Ups were so well received; we know there’s a real need for even more in-community support, especially when so many people living in vulnerable communities don’t have access to online resources, so these Pop-Ups will be a lifeline to those really struggling this winter. As always, our mission is to help alleviate the detrimental impact of poverty and by working closely with local organisations we are able to provide much needed financial and practical support to vulnerable members of the community, whether you’re a British Gas customer or not.”
