8th March 2007

- Braille, large print and talking book advice guides launched for blind and partially sighted people
- Guides contain hints and tips on keeping warm this winter

With winter in full swing the Home Heat Helpline (0800 33 66 99) today launched a range of accessible information guides on how to keep warm this winter for blind and partially sighted people.

With two million blind or partially sighted people in Britain* it is vital they have the advice needed to keep their homes warm. The Home Heat Helpline guide offers advice on a range of issues including installing proper insulation, double glazing and replacing inefficient heating systems. It also shows how those with sight problems may be eligible for special grants and financial and practical support from the government and energy suppliers.

Talking book, large print and Braille versions of the guide are available from the Home Heat Helpline by calling the Helpline on 0800 33 66 99 or by using the links below:

- Large Text Version
- Audio Version - Talking Book

The main aim of the guide is to raise the profile of the Priority Service Register which allows people with sight problems to access a range of free services from their energy supplier. These include:

• Free annual gas safety check of all gas appliances
• Password scheme – suppliers will provide a password that will be used when the energy supplier sends someone to visit a customer
• Bill nominee scheme – customers who have difficulty reading or checking their bill can nominate a friend, relative or carer to receive a copy direct from the supplier
• Large font, Braille or “talking bills”

The Helpline is the only service for all customers who have difficulties with heating their homes or paying for their energy bills no matter who their energy supplier is. Over 38,000 people called the Home Heat Helpline during its first twelve months. It is staffed by expert advisors, including former health professionals who are trained to give advice on how to stay warm during cold weather. The Helpline can also take calls from intermediaries calling on behalf of vulnerable people, such as friends, family, carers, social workers or health visitors.

Duncan Sedgwick, Chief Executive of the Energy Retail Association comments on the new versions of the guide,

“It is vital that all blind and partially sighted people in the UK are able to access advice and support on keeping warm during the winter months. The launch of Talking Book, Braille and large print versions of the guide are aimed at households who may be unable to access the Helpline through current channels. By using the new guides we hope that households call the helpline as soon as possible to get the support and advice they need.”

“The guides are available via by calling the helpline on 0800 33 66 99 or visiting the website www.homeheathelpline.org – I hope that charities and advice groups make use of them when providing advice to households worried about heating their home this winter.”

Notes to Editors

* RNIB – www.rnib.org.uk

Four Communications
0870 420 3245
HHH@fourcommunications.com

Home Heat Helpline
Oliver Wright – 020 7747 5436
oliver.wright@energy-retail.org.uk

Home Heat Helpline – 0800 33 66 99

1. The Home Heat Helpline operates from Monday to Friday 9am-8pm and from 10am-2pm on Saturday. There is a free minicom number (0800 027 2122) and the Helpline also has access to interpreters for those callers whose first language is not English.

2. The Helpline is operated by The essentiagroup and is staffed by expert advisers, including former health professionals, who are trained to give advice on how to stay warm during the cold weather. They are also trained and authorised to deal with intermediaries calling on behalf of vulnerable customers, such as friends, carers, social workers or health visitors

3. The Energy Retail Association was established in October 2003 and is the only dedicated trade association for domestic energy suppliers in the UK. More information can be found at www.energy-retail.org.uk

4. The Home Heat Helpline, launched in October 2005, is a free service for all British citizens and is funded by Britain’s six major energy suppliers. It is the only telephone helpline service that aims to tackle fuel poverty. The energy suppliers spent £300 million between 2002 – 2005 on tackling fuel poverty and have committed to spend a further £700 million over the next 3 years on this important issue.

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