Useful housing organisations

The Energy Saving Trust (EST)

The EST provides expert and impartial advice and information as well as grants to encourage the more efficient use of energy in our homes and vehicles across the UK.

For energy efficiency advice for homeowners call: 0800 512 012 or visit the Energy Saving Trust's website.

Strathclyde & Central Energy Efficiency Advice Centre (EEAC)

This organisation is dedicated to achieving energy efficiency and helping to reduce fuel poverty within the region. A home energy check, based on individual circumstances, can be produced at your request detailing specific measures and grants suitable to your situation. In addition to this, in certain circumstances home visits can be arranged to discuss how to operate your heating system effectively and understanding energy bills.

Strathclyde and Central EEAC
FREEPOST SCO6861
Glasgow
G1 5BR

Phone: 0141 552 0799 (Mon-Fri 9am - 5pm) or free phone: 0800 512 012

E-mail:

The Scottish Gas Energy Trust

This charitable fund can offer assistance to: -

  • Reduce or clear arrears of gas or electricity debt.

  • Help with other essential household bills and costs.

It should be noted that only current domestic customers of Scottish Gas may apply; to do so call: 01733 421 020

Website: www.britishgasenergytrust.org.uk.

Energywatch

Energywatch is the independent gas and electricity consumerwatchdog and is available to help withproblems relating to utilities, changing supplier and fuel costs.

Phone: 0845 906 0708

Website: www.energywatch.org.uk

Energy Action Scotland

Energy Action Scotland is the national charity which aims to eliminate fuel poverty by raising awareness of fuel poverty, maintaining fuel poverty as a national issue of high priority;and working towards affordable warmth for all.  For further information:

Phone: 0141 226 3064 or visit Energy Action Scotland's website.

The Carbon Trust

The Carbon Trust works with UK business and the public sector to cut carbon emissions and develop commercial low carbon technologies.

Phone: 0800 085 2005

Website: www.carbontrust.co.uk

Defra

Defra is the government department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and aims to protect and improve the environment.

Phone: 08459 33 55 77

EAGA

EAGA administered the Central Heating Programme and the Warm Deal Programme.

As of 1 October 2006, responsibility for the management of these programmes passed to British Gas.

All future enquiries should, in the first instance, be directed to British Gas on the helpline number : 0800 316 1653.

British Gas

Grants are available from British Gas through the Central Heating Programme and the Warm Deal Programme.

Phone: 0800 316 1653 or visit the British Gas website.

The Home Heat Helpline

This helpline is jointly funded by six major energy supply companies and offers advice on a wide range of issues such as insulation grants, benefits take up and whether special reduced rate tariffs would be available.  

Calls will also be accepted from third parties such as social workers and family members.

Phone: 0800 33 66 99

Website: www.homeheathelpline.org.

Uswitch

Uswitch is a website which allows you to compare prices from different fuel providers, to find the best deal for you.

Phone: 0845 601 2856

E-mail:

Website: www.uswitch.com.

East Renfrewshire Council Money Advice

The Money Advice team at East Renfrewshire Council will give you free, confidential and impartialmoney advice service to all residents of East Renfrewshire.

They can assist you with your:

  • mortgage or rent arrears,

  • council tax arrears,

  • fuel arrears,

  • credit card,

  • catalogue and hire purchase debts

  • and personal loans to name a few

They can:

  • advise on your rights,

  • negotiate with your creditors,

  • help complete court forms.

Finance Department
211 Main Street ,
Barrhead
G78 1SN

Info: Free,confidential, professional and practical advice on money matters. .

East Renfrewshire Citizens Advice Bureau

216 Main Street
Barrhead
East Renfrewshire
G78 1SN

Phone: 0141 881 2032 or visit the Citizens Advice Bureau website.

Whatever your problem East Renfrewshire CAB will help you find an answer, including: benefits, debt and money advice, work related problems, consumer issues, relationships and housing. If you need them to, East Renfrewshire CAB can negotiate with third parties on your behalf to help find a way forward. The CAB will help sort it all out.

Opening hours are Mon-Fri 9.30am to 3.30pm andWed 5.00pm to 7.00pm.

The CAB is also at Mearns Library on Wednesdays between 12.00 noon to 3.00pm.

East Renfrewshire Council Community Health and Care Partnership (CHCP)

The CHCP is a new and innovative partnership responsible for delivering all local health and social care services for the residents of East Renfrewshire in an integrated way.

East Renfrewshire Community Health and Care Partnership
1 Burnfield Avenue
Giffnock
East Renfrewshire
G46 7TT

Phone: 0141 577 8602 or visit the ERC Community Health and Care Partnership website.

East Renfrewshire Council Customer First

Phone: 0141 577 3001

East Renfrewshire Credit Union

A Credit Union is a financial co-operative- a group of people who save together and lend to each other at a reasonable rate of interest. Credit Unions offer members the chance to have control over their finances by making their savings work for them and exists solely to benefit its members.

East Renfrewshire Credit Union
116 Main Street
Barrhead
East Renfrewshire
G78 1SG

Phone: 0141 881 1353 or visit the Scottish Credit Union's website.

Housing Associations

For a list of housing associations in East Renfrewshire please see the Housing Options Guide on the Housing Advice page.

Pension Service

Offers a benefit check and advice service for pensioners.  A client or their family can use this helpline.

Phone: 0845 60 60 265

Website: www.thepensionservice.gov.uk

Help the Aged

Help the Aged campaigns for change in government policy, undertakes research into the needs of older people and provides local services in communities across the UK and overseas. They provide impartial, easy-to-understand guidance on the issues that affect older people including energy advice.  

Phone: 0131 551 6331

Website: www.helptheaged.org.uk

Age Concern Scotland

Age Concern's helpline for older people, can assist in accessing a variety of income maximisation/assistance options, as well as providing impartial advice.

Phone: 0845 125 9732

Website: www.ageconcernscotland.org.uk.

Utility companies

All Utilities companies offer free energy efficiency advice.

  • Scottish Power can be contacted on 0800 33 22 33,

  • Scottish Gas on 0845 9650 650,

  • Scottish & Southern Energy (Scottish Hydro Electric) 0800 444 321 and for

  • Npower call 0800 022 220.

Alternatively, click below to visit their websites:

If you are not a customer of any of these companies, you can contact your own energy supplier directly.  You should find a customer helpline number on your bill.