A NEW service helping Tendring residents concerned about the cost of living has been set up in Dovercourt. 

Bill Clinic offers free energy and utility bill reviews to those living in Tendring.

Between January 2022 and January 2023, electricity prices in the UK reportedly rose by more than 66 per cent.

Meanwhile, gas prices reportedly rose by more than 129 per cent.

Sharon Holt, who runs Bill Clinic, said: “Most people don’t know how to read their bill.

“We just know we have them, and we know we have to pay them, but we don’t fully understand the jargon.” 

She added: “People are finding themselves with large, unexpected bills and struggle to communicate with their Energy company.  

“Some people lost their supplier and were handed over to another one but never knew if they were better or worse off. 

“Some still don’t know how much they are paying. They know how much they are spending, but that’s different to knowing if they are paying too much for what they are using. That’s where the Bill Clinic can step in to help.   

“We can give everyone a completely free and no obligation review of their bills. 

“We check that the energy usage is about right.  

“Our review has been known to find people with faulty meters or paying for someone else’s supply. So, we have checks we can help you run. 

“For some we have managed to help them apply for Energy vouchers.” 

Sharon said Bill Clinic is a free service which is available to the whole community.

She added: “It’s a way of giving something back.

“I can’t do anything about the actual cost of energy, but I can help in making sure that people are only paying for what they need too.”   

Prospective clients can find Bill Clinic at the Dovercourt and Harwich Hub in the High Street, Dovercourt.

For further information, contact the Hub on 01255 554115.