Preparing for Winter: Your Guide to Free Energy Support and Advice
With winter on the way, many of us look forward to cosy nights in and festive season plans. But for millions of households across the country, the colder weather brings a different feeling – one of concern about rising bills and how they’re going to stay warm.
It’s a sad reality for many families who are forced to make the difficult choice between heating and eating. Here in Peterborough, where we’re based, the challenge is particularly prevalent.
According to Peterborough City Council, the area sits among the most deprived 20% of all local authorities in England, with some wards even ranking in the 10% most deprived nationally. Evidence from 2020 suggested that more than a third of all children in Peterborough were living in poverty. And It’s likely that if this were recalculated in 2025, that figure would be distressingly even higher.
That’s why we want to shine a light on all the free energy support and schemes available across Peterborough, Rutland, Fenland, and South Cambridgeshire; so you know exactly where to turn for help this winter.
Advice from Our Home Energy Advisors
Our friendly advisors visit homes across the region every day. Here’s what they told us are the most common issues they see during winter:
“The main issue I see is people who find their homes cold due to the layout or structure of the house. For example, bay windows or large living rooms with only one radiator. I always suggest shutting doors to keep heat in, turning up radiators in colder rooms and turning them down in rooms that aren’t used as much, using heated throws, draught excluders and thick curtains.”
“Another big problem is people not using their heating enough because of rising costs. We understand it’s tough, but keeping your home at a safe temperature is so important for your health. During visits, we help people find practical ways to reduce costs, and where possible, we fit simple draught-proofing measures to keep the warmth in.”
Their advice is simple but powerful – small changes can make a big difference.
How We Can Help Through LEAP
At Green Energy Switch, our aim is simple: to equip you with the free support available, connect you with trusted services, and help you stay warm and well this winter. We’re proud to work in partnership with Peterborough City Council, South Cambridgeshire District Council, Fenland District Council and Rutland County Council, to deliver the LEAP service across our region.
Through LEAP (Local Energy Advice Partnership), we provide completely free home energy visits for residents across Peterborough, South Cambridgeshire, Rutland, and Fenland. LEAP is open to households on a low income, receiving means-tested or disability-related benefits, or anyone who may be vulnerable to living in a cold home. During a home visit, one of our trained energy advisors can provide personalised advice, help you reduce your bills, and make your home warmer and more efficient.
Last year alone, our team helped over 800 households, saving a total of £843,757.12 on energy bills, installing more than 1,500 free energy-saving products, and reducing 236.3 tonnes of carbon emissions across the region.
*Even if you live outside our delivery areas, LEAP itself operates nationwide, delivered by other trusted partners just like us. Wherever you’re based, there’s likely someone nearby offering the same fantastic support.
Read real stories and reviews from local residents we’ve supported through LEAP
Find out more about what happens on a LEAP home visit and how to apply
Other Free Support and Advice Available This Winter
We’ve pulled together a handy list of local and national schemes that can help this winter. They are offering energy advice, funding, and practical support across Peterborough, South Cambridgeshire, Rutland, and Fenland.
Please note: this list focuses mainly on energy support, not other types of help. It isn’t an exhaustive list of everything available to you. It’s always worth checking your local council’s website and the Government’s own website for details of all schemes currently running.
The below information is correct as of November 2025.
Action On Energy
Areas covered:
Cambridgeshire County Council, Cambridge City Council, East Cambridgeshire District Council, Fenland District Council, Huntingdonshire District Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council.
Action on Energy is a partnership providing communities with advice on how to maximise the energy efficiency of their homes, save money on their energy bills and cut their carbon emissions. Their advice includes information on the energy efficiency measures available, practical guidance, funding opportunities and support to find an installer.
Age UK Cambridgeshire and Peterborough
Areas covered:
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.
Age UK Cambridgeshire and Peterborough provides free support to help older people stay warm and well during the winter. Their services include home energy checks, where trained staff fit simple energy-saving measures like draught excluders and radiator panels, and benefit entitlement checks to ensure residents receive all the financial support they’re eligible for, helping to reduce fuel poverty and cold-related ill health across the region.
Age UK Leicester Shire & Rutland’s Warm & Wise Service
Areas covered:
Leicestershire and Rutland.
Age UK Leicester Shire & Rutland’s Warm & Wise Service helps residents aged 50 and over to stay warm, reduce their energy bills, and make their homes more efficient. The service offers free home energy checks, tailored energy-saving advice, and the fitting of simple energy-efficient products. It also provides benefit checks, guidance on schemes such as the Warm Home Discount, and signposting to grants for home improvements including boiler upgrades and insulation, helping older residents stay comfortable, save money, and improve their wellbeing during the colder months.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme
Areas covered:
England and Wales.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme offers grants to help cover the cost of replacing fossil fuel heating systems such as oil, gas, electric or LPG with low-carbon alternatives like heat pumps or biomass boilers. To qualify, you must own the property you are applying for, whether it is a home, business or rental property. The scheme supports homeowners looking to improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions by making the switch to cleaner heating.
Cambridgeshire Home Improvement Agency (Cambs HIA)
Areas covered:
Cambridge City Council, Huntingdonshire District Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council.
Cambridgeshire Home Improvement Agency (Cambs HIA) is a not-for-profit organisation funded by local and central government that helps elderly, disabled and vulnerable residents to repair, adapt and maintain their homes so they can remain independent, warm, safe and secure. The agency provides advice and practical support with home improvements, including managing applications for grants such as Disabled Facilities Grants (DFGs), which can cover essential adaptations like ramps, stairlifts and accessible bathrooms. Cambs HIA can also assist with finding contractors, handling planning and building control applications, managing projects from start to finish and identifying other sources of funding if needed.
Cambridgeshire Local Assistance Scheme (CLAS)
Areas covered:
Cambridge City, South Cambridgeshire, East Cambridgeshire, Fenland and Huntingdonshire.
Cambridgeshire Local Assistance Scheme (CLAS) provides emergency support for residents facing unexpected financial difficulties. Run by a partnership of local charities led by CHS Group, the scheme offers information, advice and discretionary assistance to help people improve their immediate financial situation and build long-term stability. Support may include low-cost reused household items, clothing or food vouchers. CLAS is available to residents who have lived in Cambridgeshire for at least six months, have no savings and receive a means-tested benefit or have a low household income.
Cambridgeshire Home Energy Support Service (CHESS) – PECT
Areas covered:
Fenland, Huntingdonshire, Cambridge City and East Cambridgeshire.
Cambridgeshire Home Energy Support Service (CHESS) delivered by PECT in partnership with Cambridgeshire ACRE, offers free energy advice and practical support to vulnerable residents. The service helps households reduce energy bills and stay warm by providing guidance on energy use, small home improvements, access to grants, and financial help such as fuel vouchers or debt relief. CHESS aims to keep homes warmer and healthier, particularly throughout the winter months.
Cold Weather Payment
Areas covered:
England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Cold Weather Payment provides £25 for each 7-day period of very cold weather between 1 November 2025 and 31 March 2026. It is available automatically to people receiving certain benefits, including Pension Credit, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Universal Credit, or Support for Mortgage Interest. Payments are made when the average temperature in your area is recorded as, or forecast to be, zero degrees Celsius or below for seven consecutive days. You do not need to apply, and the payment will not affect your other benefits.
Energy Company Obligation (ECO4)
Areas covered:
Peterborough.
Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) scheme helps low-income and vulnerable households improve their home’s energy efficiency. It is aimed at the least energy-efficient properties and can fund upgrades such as insulation, boiler repairs or replacements, and other heating improvements. To qualify, you must be a homeowner or private tenant receiving certain benefits such as Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Income Support, Jobseeker’s Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance, Housing Benefit, Child Benefit or Tax Credits. Homes must usually have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of D, E, F or G, and private tenants will need their landlord’s permission for the work. Eligible social housing tenants may also qualify for insulation or first-time heating systems.
Green Doctors – Groundwork
Areas covered:
East of England.
Green Doctors Service provides free, impartial energy advice to help people take control of their bills and make their homes more energy efficient. Delivered by trained energy experts, the service supports households who are struggling to pay energy bills, manage fuel debt, or keep their homes warm and free from damp. Green Doctors can offer practical tips, help with tackling energy or water debt, and refer residents to other support services where needed. Their aim is to improve comfort, reduce energy costs, and support the health and wellbeing of people living in cold or inefficient homes.
Household Support Fund
Areas covered:
Peterborough City Council, Rutland County Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council.
Household Support Fund provides government funding to help residents with essential costs such as energy and water bills, food, and other household essentials. The scheme is managed by local councils, so the type of support available varies by area and could include vouchers, one-off payments, or help with specific bills. Funding is aimed at anyone who is vulnerable or struggling to afford basic needs, and you do not need to be receiving benefits to apply. Payments from the fund do not affect any existing benefits.
National Energy Action’s Energy Advice and Support Service
Areas covered:
England and Wales.
National Energy Action’s Energy Advice and Support Service is a free service providing energy bill help to householders in England and Wales on their bills and keeping warm and safe in their home. They can help with benefits advice and income maximisation. It also offers advice workshops direct to householders and training to frontline staff.
Stay Well Grant
Areas covered:
Cambridgeshire (currently excluding Peterborough).
Stay Well Grant offers grants of up to £400 to support vulnerable individuals and families who are facing fuel poverty or an urgent heating crisis. The fund is currently closed but reopens when additional funding becomes available. Applications must be made by a referring organisation such as Citizens Advice Cambridge & District or Citizens Advice Rural Cambs, rather than by individuals directly. The grant is intended for future heating costs and can also help those experiencing homelessness with items to keep warm, such as sleeping bags or blankets. Recipients can receive a maximum of £1,200 from the fund in total, with only one grant available every six months.
Warm Home Discount
Areas covered:
England, Wales and Scotland.
Warm Home Discount is a one-off £150 discount applied directly to your electricity bill to help with energy costs during the winter. Most eligible households in England and Wales receive the discount automatically if they get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit or are on a low income. The payment does not affect other benefits such as the Cold Weather Payment or Winter Fuel Payment. In some cases, suppliers may apply the discount to your gas bill if they provide both services.
Warm Homes: Local Grant (National)
Areas covered:
England.
Warm Homes: Local Grant provides free energy-saving improvements for eligible households. If you’re on a low income, receive certain benefits, or live in a qualifying postcode area, your local council may arrange and fund upgrades such as insulation, air source heat pumps, solar panels, or smart heating controls. Homes must usually have an EPC rating of D, E, F or G and a household income of £36,000 or less, although some higher-income households may still qualify depending on their area or circumstances.
Warmer Homes (Warm Homes: Local Grant – Regional)
Areas covered:
Peterborough City Council and Rutland County Council.
Warmer Homes Programme Peterborough is part of the Warmer Homes Programme, a consortium of 30 local authorities working together to improve the energy efficiency of homes through government funding under the Warm Homes: Local Grant. The scheme offers fully funded energy efficiency improvements to help reduce energy bills and keep homes warmer. You could be eligible if your household income is £36,000 or less per year, you receive a means-tested benefit, your home has an EPC rating of D, E, F or G, and you are a homeowner or private tenant.
Winter Fuel Payment
Areas covered:
England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Winter Fuel Payment provides between £250 and £600 to help pension-age households with heating costs during the winter. It is available to people born before 22 September 1959, and most eligible residents receive the payment automatically between November and December. The payment amount depends on your age and household circumstances, and it does not affect any other benefits. Be aware of scams — the DWP will never contact you by text or email to ask for your bank details.
Let’s Keep Our Communities Warm This Winter
We’re proud to play our part in helping local residents stay warm and well this winter. If you need a little extra help, LEAP could be a great place to start. But please do explore the other support options listed above to see which ones might be right for you.
If you’re part of a community group or housing provider, please share this information with those who might need it. Even telling one friend, neighbour or family member could help someone access the support they need. Let’s all do our bit to share these resources and help keep our communities warm, supported and connected.
And don’t forget!… Stay updated with the latest energy news, fuel poverty updates, and upcoming budget and price cap announcements by following us on all our socials. We’ll keep sharing tips, updates and ways you can save energy and support others this winter.
ABOUT US
Green Energy Switch (GES) delivers a broad range of energy services across the UK. We specialise in working with social landlords and local authorities. Established in 2006, GES is a subsidiary of environmental charity PECT. We gift-aid any profits to PECT to help fund their vital work. In doing so, we are the lead sponsor of their Forest project. Over 131,000 trees have been planted so far, equating to a remarkable reduction of over 1,300 tonnes of carbon emission.
