Energy Cafe launch at mileXchange to help with bill worries

Alina Sandu, event coordinator for the Norwich Eco Hub, has seen firsthand how worried about the cost of living crisis people are in Mile Cross. 

She said: “We asked people coming into mileXchange in Drayton Road if they are worried about keeping warm at home.  

Most people said they were worried about heating their home. Picture - Alina Sandu (Image: Alina Sandu)

“Most of them answered yes.  

“The ones who said no then added they were still worried about other family members who were not doing as well - either elderly parents who cannot use online services or young adults on prepaid meters who now pay three times as much for their electricity and gas than they did a year ago. 

“Over the last few months, I've seen my own friends and family become more and more concerned with their energy bills.” 

To help with the worries, Norwich Eco Hub in collaboration with Norwich City Council, Friends of the Earth, Green New Deal and Norfolk and Waveney Mind have collaborated on an Energy Cafe to take place at the centre on Saturday.  

The centre will have engineers on hand to give advice on making homes more energy efficient. Picture - Alina Sandu (Image: Alina Sandu)

To try to support people living in Mile Cross the energy cafe will have engineers on hand to talk to people about their homes and how to insulate them to make them more energy efficient.  

For those who are struggling with the impact of the cost of living on their mental health, Norfolk and Waveney Mind will be on hand to chat.  

And there are activities planned for children who can decorate draught excluders to look like fantasy creatures.  

For people who are interested in the advice and help on offer, the energy cafe takes place on Saturday, February 25 between 11am and 2pm at MileXchange.