Cosy Homes Information and Support Service

Naomh Breandáin Credit Union is working with Sustainable Energy West, a local Sustainable Energy Community group, to develop a new volunteer-led information and support service for the community.

The proposed Cosy Homes Information and Support Service will be based at Loughrea Family Resource Centre on Friday mornings from 10:30am to 1:00pm. The free drop-in service will provide practical information and support on household benefits, home energy bills and home energy upgrades, with a particular focus on supporting older people and those receiving social welfare payments.

The aim of the service is to help people access the supports and information available to them. This may include checking eligibility for household benefits, exploring ways to reduce energy bills, providing information on the SEAI Warmer Homes Scheme, and offering guidance on SEAI home energy upgrade grants and home energy upgrade loans.

The service will operate as a drop-in for general information or a short consultation of up to 20 minutes. Where more detailed support is needed, such as applying for a household benefit payment, switching energy provider or applying for the Warmer Homes Scheme, follow-up appointments may be arranged.

Volunteers are now being sought to support the service. Suitable volunteers should have good practical financial skills, a warm and supportive approach to working with people, the ability to look up relevant information online, and an interest in sustainability. Volunteers may help service users access information from sources such as Citizens Information, Social Welfare and energy comparison websites, as well as supporting online or paper-based applications where needed.

The Cosy Homes Information and Support Service aims to complement the work of existing local and national support services, including Citizens Information, MABS Loughrea, INTREO, Loughrea Family and Community Resource Centre, Family Carers Ireland, SEAI, Sustainable Energy West and Naomh Breandáin Credit Union.

Anyone interested in volunteering with the service is invited to get in touch by phone on 087 389 9883 or by email to arrange a suitable time for a call or meeting.