Hear from Mel, our Fuel Efficiency Advisor about how she supported resident, Ben*

As a Fuel Efficiency Advisor, when I first met Ben, it was clear he was going through a tough time. Struggling to afford both food and fuel, his life was overshadowed by worry. His bills were based on old estimates from before he moved into his home, leaving him overcharged and confused about managing energy costs. Feeling isolated, Ben confided in me that he rarely went out or met any of his old friends.

I set to work by focusing on making sure Ben's immediate needs were met. I secured him a £150 voucher for food shopping, ensuring he had enough to eat, and helped him obtain a £100 fuel voucher through the Kent County Council Household Support Fund. These steps gave Ben some breathing space while I worked on addressing his bigger challenges. Mel, looking into the camera and smiling

I was determined to reduce Ben’s stress, so I collaborated with our teams to track down the accurate gas and electricity readings from the day Ben moved in. This resulted in a £350 refund from his energy supplier, accurate bills moving forward, and a £500 credit to carry him through the winter. I then reached out to his water supplier and successfully enrolled Ben in a social tariff, cutting his water bill from £60 to just £29 a month. 

Despite these improvements, Ben was still nervous about rising energy prices. I patiently talked him through his options, and together we decided on a one-year fixed energy plan. This gave Ben peace of mind and the ability to budget without fear of any increases. I also spent time helping Ben understand how much each of his appliances cost to run, sharing tips for more efficient and cost-effective energy use. 

It's great to say that today, Ben is thriving. With the plan set in motion, he is out of energy debt, his finances are under control, and he feels more confident about the future. The relief of being out of debt has had a positive effect on his life. Ben now goes out regularly, meets new people, and has even joined a local singing club. 

If you're struggling with your bills, we can help. Get in touch by emailing help@wkha.org.uk or calling 01732 749400. 

*names have been changed to protect resident's identity

35 years of West Kent: Supporting our residents through KEHFA

As we mark 35 years of West Kent, we’re proud to reflect on the meaningful impact of our work and our commitment to providing excellent services across Kent. A foundation of this has been our involvement in the ‘Kent Excellent Homes for All’ (KEHFA) contract, a landmark initiative that continues to deliver vital housing to communities across the county. 

 

Staying scam aware - disrepair claims

We know there are several companies out there targeting our residents with false repair claim information and asking them to register on their websites.   These companies are not associated with West Kent in any way, and we are urging residents to ignore any communications from them Including any registration requests.