Generalist Energy Adviser
CurrentI joined Citizens Advice Manchester at the beginning of a new energy advice project in 2022, and have helped to develop and deliver a service focused on supporting vulnerable clients throughout the UK Energy Crisis. This has been achieved through empowering individuals to independently manage the complexities and challenges of the domestic energy market through a multi-channel advice role, as well as in the form of direct advocacy on behalf of vulnerable clients in a casework management capacity.From a position of one-to-one client support, I have developed an acute awareness of the systemic challenges that vulnerable people face across the UK, in particular within the domestic energy market. I am responsible for highlighting these emerging and ongoing trends to our Research and Development team by presenting both the qualitative and quantitative impact of these issues experienced by the clients we support.My career development into a tier 2 generalist adviser has involved undertaking a wide range of in depth training in order to confidently deliver advice across interconnected issues, including benefits, housing, immigration and debt. I currently act as a ‘Deputy’ within the team, a role in which I support the development and training of the wider team by acting as on-call team support for technical queries, as well as through the delivery of training sessions and the development of training materials for the team. My day to day responsibilities include:Independent casework management. Bid writing for grant applications, and writing benefit application appeals on behalf of clients. Liaising and negotiating with suppliers to deliver fair resolutions on behalf of clients. Championing sustainable practices by promoting cost-saving and environmentally sound strategies for energy use in the home for clients. Working in cooperation with local authorities to deliver larger-scale energy efficiency measures through ECO4 funding applications.
