Home Health Projects
Project Description
The CSEP Domestic Energy and Health Task Group developed an award-winning fuel poverty project called 'Home Health', which commenced in August 2002.
The key driver behind the Home Health methodology is the Inverse Care Law, which states: "Those who get are those who know and demand…rather than those in greatest need who do not know. Inequality occurs because no-one goes out and finds those in greatest need." (Tudor Hart, GP South Wales, 1971).
Taking this philosophy on board, the CSEP team put together a funding package of local and national sources to enable all households living in Home Health zones to be eligible for free insulation regardless of income and tenure. This helps residents on low incomes who are not claiming certain ‘passport benefits’ to receive assistance (the ‘hidden’ fuel poor) and by removing the stigma of means testing, it encourages vulnerable 'hard to reach' households to apply. The zones are selected using a combination of latest deprivation statistics, GIS mapping, local knowledge and site visits.
The 'bottom up' approach led by Community Energy Plus includes setting up a community and health sector referral network in each zone to help the most vulnerable and 'hard to reach' households to benefit from the scheme. A range of methods are used to make promotion of the project socially inclusive. These include mailshots, leaflets, posters, press/ TV/ radio coverage, door to door visits, word of mouth referrals and community events.
Partnership working has increased the range of assistance on offer. The range of benefits has varied from scheme to scheme as new partners and funding streams have come on board. Additional help provided by the projects has included free security measures, fire safety checks, benefits eligibility checks and referrals to a range of charity partners which led to additional help like equipment for the partially sighted, carer's breaks, disability grants and essential (energy efficient) appliances. Where funding was available measures to assist 'hard to treat' homes were provided, for instance at St Ives where external wall insulation (overcladding) was installed on social housing properties which could not be cavity filled.
The project is managed by Cornwall EEAC (Community Energy Plus).
with external wall insulation work on Penwith Housing
Association properties in the St Ives Home Health zone.
Partners
Age Concern, British Gas, Central Cornwall PCT, Community Energy Plus, Cornwall County Council, Caradon District Council, Carrick District Council, EDF Energy, Kerrier District Council, Kerrier Homes Trust, North Cornwall District Council, Miller Pattison, North and East Cornwall PCT, Penwith District Council, Penwith Housing Association, Restormel Borough Council, West Cornwall PCT.
Plus local community groups, churches, charities, libraries, GP surgeries, local shops, local councillors, community outreach workers and volunteers in each zone.
Location and Phases of Home Health projects
Home Health 1 (2002-2003)
Two pilot zones in Pendeen (nr. Lands End, Penwith) and Pengegon (Camborne, Kerrier), West Cornwall.
Home Health 2 (2003-2004)
Three zones in Redruth, Camborne and Porthleven (Kerrier).
Home Health 3 (2004-2006)
7 zones in St Ives, Newlyn, Penzance, St Just, the Lizard (Lizard/Mullion/Ruan Minor/St. Keverne), Hayle and St Day.
Home Health Plus yr 1 (2004-2005) - private tenure homes only
This new improved version of the project offered a wider range of benefits by joining up the Home Health package with means-tested local authority loan and grant schemes for repairs, heating and measures for ‘hard to treat’ homes.
Caradon District Council - 'mini zones' in St Cleer and St Neot, Liskeard North, Liskeard South, Calstock, Menheniot and St Ive, Callington, Duloe, Lansallos and Pelynt.
Carrick District Council - 3 zones in the Tregolls, Trehaverne and Threemilestone areas of Truro.
North Cornwall District Council - two zones in Tintagel and Delabole.
Restormel Borough Council - 2 zones in St Stephens in Brannel and the Gannel area of Newquay.
Home Health Plus yr 2 (2005-2006) - private tenure homes only
Caradon DC — various mini zones assisted using GIS mapping to target pockets of deprivation.
Carrick DC — Truro, Cubert, St Agnes and Perranporth.
NCDC — Bodmin St Mary’s and Bodmin St Petrocs.
Restormel BC — St Blazey. British Gas is managing this project.
Home Health Priority (2006-2007)
This year Home Health will offer free insulation measures to private tenure households on entitlements, on a district-wide basis. The community outreach team will work with front-line community, social and health agencies to encourage ‘priority’ households to take part.
To check eligibility and timing of current schemes, Tel. Cornwall Energy Efficiency Advice Centre on 0800 512012.
Funding sources
Home Health 1, 2 and 3: Neighbourhood Renewal Fund, Single Regeneration Budget (SW RDA), British Gas here to HELP scheme, Cornwall County Council LPSA, Eaga Warm Front scheme, EDF Energy, Penwith Housing Association, Kerrier Homes Trust, Devon & Cornwall Housing Association, EST Innovations Programme, National Lottery New Opportunities SEED fund, CaFe (Community Action for Energy), Penwith District Council HECA budget, Home Office Safer Communities Initiative and in-kind support from local authority partners, CEP, the Cornwall EEAC and other members of the CSEP.
Home Health Plus : £1.62m Private Sector Renewal allocation from the South West Housing Body/ Government Office of the South West. British Gas, EDF Energy, Cornwall County Council LPSA pump-priming.
2006-2009 projects : LPSA1 Reward, EEC, Local Authority Private Sector Renewal funding.
Recognition
Awards
2005 Ashden Awards Winner
2003 Home Energy Conservation Act Award.
Best Practice Case Studies
The British Heart Foundation's Fuel Poverty Tool Kit for primary care organisations, public health and primary care professionals;
Community Action for Energy Case Study 18.
Practical Help Case Study : "CSEP Home Health initiative: An example of good practice scheme integration". (2004)
Innovation Programme Case Study on Home Health.
The Home Health scheme was chosen as one of the British Gas flagship here to HELP (Home Essentials for Life Programme) pilots launched in autumn 2002 www.house.co.uk/HELP.
Results for all Home Health projects
9237 homes had at least 1 free major energy efficiency measure installed by 1 Sept 2008.
191,575 tonnes of carbon dioxide (lifetime) saved by 1 Sept 2008.
For more information please contact Cornwall Energy Efficiency Advice Centre on freephone 0800 512012.
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