Every autumn, when the government opens its Warm Home Discount (WHD) scheme, Charis launches a ‘sister’ scheme specifically aimed at park home residents.

Having supported several energy suppliers with the distribution of WHD, Ofgem approached Charis in 2015, conscious that there were large numbers of older, more vulnerable residents who had moved away from the traditional brick-and-mortar homes to enjoy the relatively cheaper cost of living in residential park homes across the country. The regulator’s concern was that these people were unable to access the Warm Home Discount payment (currently £150) that over 1m UK households were entitled to.

WHD is usually paid to households directly through their electricity supplier. Because most park home residents paid their electric bills directly to the site management which had a separate commercial agreement with an energy supplier, there was no mechanism for them to receive a payment.

The Park Homes Warm Home Discount scheme provides a vehicle through which park home residents can connect with the Warm Home Discount scheme. With funding from participating energy suppliers, Charis has ensured that thousands of vulnerable people have received a vital contribution towards keeping warm and safe during the winter months.

Although the PH WHD scheme has always operated in England, Scotland, and Wales, the vast majority of applications emanated from south of the border. In 2022 the rewriting of WHD legislation resulted in the need for a greater focus on Scottish park homes households and an attempt to ensure that more isolated communities weren’t falling under the radar.

Even now, we know that we are not reaching everyone, but the support given to us by both the Scottish press and the hard work of a lot of MPs across Scotland enables us to reach new park homes pockets each year. One big supporter of the scheme is Ronnie Cowan, SNP MP for Inverclyde.

“Energy poverty is an issue that is faced by my constituents every winter. Supporting them through the confusion and complexities of the different forms of financial help is an important part of the work we do at our constituency office,” said Ronnie Cowan. “It was of great concern that so many of our constituents residing in park homes could have been missing out on the Warm Home Discount. Collaborating with Charis on communicating the availability of the scheme has ensured that many more households are receiving the support for which they are eligible.”

The amount of funding received from E.On Next and Ovo Energy last autumn meant that this year Charis was able to award more than £150 payments. Eligible park homes residents received a Heat the Home bundle of insulation products and they could also apply to have older, energy-inefficient appliances, such as fridges or washing machines replaced with brand new, energy-efficient models.

UK-wide, during the winter of 2023-24, Charis delivered £800,000 worth of energy-efficient appliances, over 5000 Heat the Home bundles on top of 5,000 £150 payments made. The scheme will re-open in early Autumn this year.