- UPP Foundation announces £70,000 grant to expand student-led Energy Advice Centres, first pioneered at London South Bank University (LSBU), at Reading, Kingston and Wrexham universities
- The Centres give free bespoke advice about energy bills and usage to the local public
- The UPP Foundation and LSBU are also publishing a practical guide to encourage other universities to set up their own Energy Advice Centres
An innovative network of student-led Energy Advice Centres is being launched at three UK universities, following a successful pilot project at London South Bank University (LSBU), which received initial seed funding from the UPP Foundation.
A new grant of £70,000 from the UPP Foundation will expand the network of Energy Advice Centres to launch at Wrexham University, Kingston University London and the University of Reading, supported by the team at LSBU who continue to lead the initiative.
Meanwhile the UPP Foundation and LSBU have today also published ‘The Energy Advice Centre Toolkit’, a practical guide to help universities across the country set up their own Energy Advice Centres.
The LSBU Energy Advice Centre, based on the Legal Advice Centre model of students giving practical, technical advice, opened in January 2023 and has since given bespoke advice about energy bills and usage to hundreds of Londoners. The team behind the Energy Advice Centre calculate that it has saved £75,000 over the first two years of its operation, with savings for each member of the public who contacts the centre estimated at around £250.
At the LSBU Energy Advice Centre, a face to face drop-in centre is available, while local residents can also contact the team online and through email. The students working in the centre aim to offer individualised advice and support to clients, removing layers of complexity so that change feels more comfortable.
With energy prices rising significantly and the practical steps people can take to lower their own bills often confusing or complicated, this expanding network of Energy Advice Centres is one way for universities to bring tangible benefits both to the students who work in them and their wider communities.
Richard Brabner, Executive Chair of the UPP Foundation said:
“The UPP Foundation is delighted to support the expansion of the innovative Energy Advice Centre model to three new UK universities. Its success at LSBU is testament to the hard work and dedication of the team and students, who are showing the impact that students can have on their place, bringing their skills and drive to address today’s challenges.
“The new toolkit for Energy Advice Centres will make it straightforward for universities to set up their own. We were keen to publish this toolkit, together with the team at LSBU, to encourage great practice and innovation across the sector.
Dr Ben Lishman, Associate Professor at London South Bank University said:
“We know that our students want to use their skills to make a difference and to make a brighter future. The Energy Advice Centre lets them take practical steps which help our local community and contribute to global sustainability. It’s brought us closer links with our local council, and new projects which take advantage of technical expertise from across LSBU.
“We think there are students across the UK who would love to join this project, so we’ve created a toolkit which can be adapted to fit every university, college and school in the country. We’re delighted to work with Reading, Kingston and Wrexham, and excited to see what happens next.”
LSBU student Dan Goodwin said:
“I wanted to be involved in something that could help those who are struggling to afford their energy bills at the moment, while also being able to teach people how to use energy more sustainably, both financially and for the environment. Working at the energy advice centre has helped build my confidence in myself and my work.”
A member of the public who received advice from the LSBU Energy Advice Centre said:
“I found the advice given to be very thorough and there is lots of useful information about who to go to, to pursue the most effective measures for the property. There is a useful list of individual measures that can be taken and I’m discussing these with the occupants at the moment.”
Professor Simon Philbin, Head of the School of Engineering at Kingston University London said:
“Kingston University London is delighted to be working with UPP and academic partners to establish a new Energy Advice Centre. Providing advice to local residents and companies on energy efficiency is well aligned to our broader focus on sustainability and this initiative will also help to enhance the educational journey of the students that are involved.”
Dr David Sprake, Senior Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering at Wrexham University said:
“Energy Advice Centres play a vital role in helping individuals and businesses navigate the transition to a low-carbon future. By offering accessible, practical guidance, these centres empower communities to reduce energy costs, cut carbon emissions, and make informed decisions that support long-term sustainability.”
Dan Fernbank, Energy & Sustainability Director at the University of Reading said:
“We are excited to be setting up a new Energy Advice Service for our students, with the welcome support of the UPP Foundation and LSBU. We are impressed with what LSBU have achieved and see a great opportunity to learn from their model to help our students save money. We are working alongside Reading Students’ Union and our School of the Built Environment to launch this new service to advise students living in private rented accommodation how to use energy as effectively as possible, as well as how to save money on their energy contracts. These are valuable life skills that can benefit students’ wallets as well as the environment for the long term.”
