The information cube. A The information cube. A project supported by theproject supported by the

The problemThe problem

Approx Approx 20002000 vulnerable vulnerable householdshouseholds in in Fuel Poverty Fuel Poverty

Source: ECDC HECA return Source: ECDC HECA return 2003-4:2003-4:

•A Fuel Poverty Strategy approved at committee levelA Fuel Poverty Strategy approved at committee level

•Dedicated officer time (30% of a full-time post)Dedicated officer time (30% of a full-time post)

• Targetted mailshots to those on certain benefitsTargetted mailshots to those on certain benefits

•Developing partnerships with other organisationsDeveloping partnerships with other organisations

•Community based presentations and promotions (Warm Community based presentations and promotions (Warm Homes Week, Energy Efficiency Week, Flu-jab clinics….)Homes Week, Energy Efficiency Week, Flu-jab clinics….)

We already had..We already had..

But we wanted more.But we wanted more.

We wanted to provide vulnerable We wanted to provide vulnerable householders with the means to identify householders with the means to identify low temperatures in their homes, together low temperatures in their homes, together with a contact number to call for advice.with a contact number to call for advice.

HOW?HOW?

The challenge…The challenge…

to increase the number of to increase the number of vulnerable householders vulnerable householders self self referringreferring to the energy to the energy conservation team.conservation team.

““Alone we can do so Alone we can do so little; together we can little; together we can

do so much”do so much”Helen KellerHelen Keller

Partners! That’s what we Partners! That’s what we needed….needed….

Offering free fire safety checks and free smoke alarms Offering free fire safety checks and free smoke alarms

Offering home safety checks and assistance to over Offering home safety checks and assistance to over 60’s via the Bobby Scheme60’s via the Bobby Scheme

East CambridgeshireEast Cambridgeshire

Offering adaptation grants and access to the Offering adaptation grants and access to the handyman service to elderly and disabled residentshandyman service to elderly and disabled residents

All partners are members of All partners are members of the Strategic Partnershipthe Strategic Partnership

• The strategic partnership, through The strategic partnership, through public consultation, developed the public consultation, developed the community strategy.community strategy.

• The strategy hinges on a number of The strategy hinges on a number of aims and objectives..aims and objectives..

Strategic aim AStrategic aim A: : Provide affordable Provide affordable and appropriate housing & and appropriate housing &

infrastructureinfrastructure• Relevant objectivesRelevant objectives

– Increase the supply of Affordable Housing Increase the supply of Affordable Housing and integrate it into the network of towns and integrate it into the network of towns and villagesand villages

– Ensure Affordable Housing is available to Ensure Affordable Housing is available to those in the greatest need and for those those in the greatest need and for those who contribute to the needs of East who contribute to the needs of East CambridgeshireCambridgeshire

– Ensure that existing housing remains in Ensure that existing housing remains in good condition for the foreseeable futuregood condition for the foreseeable future

Strategic aim E: Improve accessibility Strategic aim E: Improve accessibility to services, especially by to services, especially by

disadvantaged groupsdisadvantaged groups

• ObjectiveObjective– Improve uptake of services for older Improve uptake of services for older

people and the rural elderlypeople and the rural elderly

Two issues:-Two issues:-

1. What to 1. What to produce to produce to carry partners’ carry partners’ messages?messages?

2. How do 2. How do we finance we finance it?it?

We needed something tactile We needed something tactile to carry the message.. to carry the message..

A pyramid!A pyramid! Four sides, four messages.. Great! Four sides, four messages.. Great!

thermometer goes here!

A cardboard pop up pyramid, with room for a round A cardboard pop up pyramid, with room for a round thermometer and messages and numbers on each sidethermometer and messages and numbers on each side

Estimated costsEstimated costsDescription No. Cost each Total cost

per item

Pyramids inc. Artwork

5000 0.97 4849

Thermometers 5000 0.65 3250

Delivery 5000 0.02 101

Total Cost   £1.64 ea £8200

The project was approved The project was approved approved. But….approved. But….

As a As a cube!cube!

And why a cube? Another And why a cube? Another important partner. important partner.

Who paid for the project?Who paid for the project?

East Cambs. D.C.East Cambs. D.C. 4k4k

Cambs. Fire & RescueCambs. Fire & Rescue 2k2k

Primary Care TrustPrimary Care Trust 2k2k

TotalTotal 8k8k But it didn’t cost But it didn’t cost energy conservation a energy conservation a penny!penny!

Distribution 2004/5Distribution 2004/5Agency Number of Cubes

PCT District Nurses 880Fire Service Ely 130

Social Care Community Team 130

Local RSL 390

Cambridgeshire Constabulary 130

PCT Health promotion team 130

Care & Repair 130

ECDC Energy Conservation 330

Neighbourhood Watch Coordinators 1015Total 2935

Outcomes to dateOutcomes to date

26 direct referrals onto affordable warmth schemes

18 Fire safety checks

37 ‘stop check and chain’ surveys

11 referrals onto the handyman service

How do you make a cube?How do you make a cube?

Get a load of squares Get a load of squares together!!together!!