Funding available for COVID-19 Support
Please see the documents below to find further funding available to support individuals and organisations during the COVID crisis provided by Devon & Somerset Fire service, SAFE SW and Lorna Jones Funding.
We have created this page to provide information about partner organisations or other services which you may find useful.
If you think your organisation should feature here, please contact us and we will review your request.
This page is not an endorsement of other agencies or services, but a guide to assist you with your home repairs and improvements.
Finding Contractors
Buy with Confidence Search Engine organised by Trading Standards and involves a vetting process for everyone listed on the site.
Which Trusted Trader Scheme a list of accreditation or registration schemes or contractors.
Home Repair Agencies
We Care Home Improvements are a Bristol-based organisation providing a variety of services for people over 60. They are also the delivery partner for Bristol City Council to administer loan applications for homeowners of any age.
Home First Plus (was previously Somerset Care & Repair)
South Gloucestershire Council Handy Van Service
Somerset Independence Plus is based in Somerset and offers advice and project management for repairs and improvements. They also operate two centres displaying adaptation equipment.
Somerset Independence Plus – The independent Living Officer Leaflet
Fire Safety Home Checks
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service provide free home fire safety visits (subject to eligibility). Find out more and how to contact them to assess the fire safety of your home.
Avon Fire & Rescue offer Home Fire Safety Visits and cover South Gloucestershire, Bristol and BANES and North Somerset.
Avon Fire & Rescue Fire Saftey In The Home Flyer
Energy Advice
The Energy Saving Trust is a national organisation providing impartial advice and signposting.
Warm & Well: For energy advice and information on grants for heating and insulation, South Gloucestershire residents can call 0800 500 3076. Services are delivered by Severn Wye Energy Agency in partnership with South Gloucestershire Council.
CSE – For people living in Somerset and Bristol, the Centre for Sustainable Energy are the guys to approach for free energy advice and more.
CSE Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI)
Severn Wye Agency: Offering free home energy advice, projects, technical support and providing training and education for more energy-efficient and sustainable living across the south-west of England.
ECOE – For people in Exeter, Mid Devon, East Devon, Teignbridge or Torquay, Exeter Community Energy provide free home energy advice including LEAP home visits
LEAP (Local Energy Advice Partnership) deliver free home energy assessments to help you save energy and source grant funding for home heating (subject to eligibility)
If you wish to see if you may be able to save money on your energy bills, take a look at LEAP’s switching site here.
Cabron Saving Group offers Devon homeowners, tenants and landlords Eco grants and LA funding for energy-saving measures.
To find out if you may be eligible for ECO funding click here.
You may be eligible to get £140 off your electricity bill under the Warm Home Discount Scheme. Find out how to apply here.
For government guidance on the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards for Landlords, please take a look at the gov website here.
Support for People over 55
Age UK – Providing a variety of support locally to people 55 plus. Find out about services local to you here.
Reengage are offering a call companion service. If you’re over 75, living on your own and feeling lonely, they may be able to help. To see the Call Companion Leaflet Click here.
Support for Safe Borrowing and Money advice
Stop Loan Sharks (The England Illegal Money Lending Team) investigate and prosecute loan sharks and illegal money lenders while also offering support to those who have borrowed money from a loan shark. Find out more about illegal lending and how to report a Loan Shark here.
The Financial Conduct Authority has information on all people or businesses that legally lend you money in the UK. Search their database here.
The Money Advice Service offers free and impartial money advice, set up by the government. Their service offers advice and guides to help improve finances, tools and calculators to help keep track and plan ahead as well as support over the phone and online.
MSE’s Academy of Money – The Open University and Money Saving Expert have joined forces to offer a free online course covering key areas of personal finance such as tax, savings, pensions, and mortgages.
Planning Portal
Check if the work you need or want to do to your home needs planning permission here.
Databases of Local Support Services and Groups
Somerset Choices https://www.somersetchoices.org.uk/adult
Somerset Community Council (for Village Agents across Somerset, a vital resource connecting individuals with local support and knowledge) https://somersetrcc.org.uk/our_work/supporting-individuals/
Pinpoint Devon https://www.pinpointdevon.co.u
Talking Cafes across Somerset, organised by Somerset Village Agents https://somersetagents.org/talking-cafes/
Honiton Health Matters, providing community-focused support for health and wellbeing https://www.honitonhealthmatters.org.uk/
