Susan was referred to Beat the Cold by a support worker who was working with her at the time. she was in a significant debt with an energy supplier, and due to her income, had no realistic options available to pay it off.

When she started working with Rosie our Changes4warmth advisor, Susan was in the process of having her gas meter removed to reduce costs as she couldn’t even afford the standing charges.

Beat the Cold were able to give Susan support with a tariff change, in order to remove ongoing standing charges, and liased with her previous supplier about the debt in order that a way forward could be found for her.

“I was terrified that they were going to cut me off, letters from debt collectors kept coming, and I just didn’t know what to do”

Three years on and Susan is in better control of her energy accounts – she has moved to a smaller, more efficient property and is aware of the assistance that she is entitled to, and is aware that price comparisons should be done regularly. She still calls on Beat the Cold for support, and we are glad to offer it.

“I don’t know where I could have got the help if Beat the Cold hadn’t been there, I wouldn’t have had any heat for the winter”