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.

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 

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.

Click here to be navigated to our Energy Efficiency Loans page to find more information on the works funded by our Energy Efficiency Loans and our Council Partners who currently support Energy Efficiency Loans. 

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.

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

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.

Somerset Choices.

Somerset Community Council (for Village Agents across Somerset, a vital resource connecting individuals with local support and knowledge)

Talking Cafes across Somerset, organised by Somerset Village Agents. 

Pinpoint Devon.

Honiton Health Matters, providing community-focused support for health and wellbeing.

We work in partnership with Coop Legal Services who can provide advice on planning your future to protect yourself and your loved ones.  For more information and general advice, visit the Coop Hub.

For advice on future planning for yourself or someone else, or acting as an attorney or executor, visit the Lendology Executor/Attorney Hub. 

Finders International are award-winning probate genealogists.  They trace missing heirs to property, estates and assets worldwide and offer this service free of charge to Empty Homes Officers.  Finders International have experience in quickly locating and engaging with owners of vacant or derelict property and can assist in resolving disputes. For more information visit their website, call them on 0800 085 8796 or email public@findersinternational.co.uk.

Check if the work you need or want to do to your home needs planning permission here.