Hello Resident I'm putting a message out for volunteers in the Norwich area to assist in an interesting, informative and helpful project.

 Eon Next (national electricity supplier) has requested Neighbourhood Watch to help with a public information initiative regarding some customers who have older style electricity meters that use the Radio Teleswitching Service. This old style meter referred to as RTS is a service that a substantial number of people still rely on and essentially involves a service that communicates with the meter which tells it when to switch between peak and off-peak tariffs. It also signals to the consumer unit when to switch a customer's heating and hot water 'on and off'.

Who is affected? People with older electricity meters that rely on RTS signals to switch between different tariff rates, often those with electric storage heaters, panel heaters, immersion heaters utilising Economy 7 or cheaper energy at different times. Energy suppliers continue to contact customers to make arrangements to upgrade their meter to a smart meter, but there still remains a substantial number of people, many of whom will be older and vulnerable, who have yet to respond to the smart meter upgrade. 

The RTS is now reaching the end of its operational life and the technology that supports it will be switched off on the 30th June 2025. Once the RTS signal is switched off, all meters that run using this system will stop working correctly which will likely have a significant impact affecting people's bills and the availability of heating and hot water.  

Neighbourhood Watch has been chosen by E.ON to support their efforts to inform the public and provide information leaflets as to what they should do.

 To assist in this objective it is proposed to hold  two events in Norwich, both of which take place on Wednesday 11th June 2025. These are:

The Hope Cafe, New Hope Christian Centre, Martineau Lane, Norwich NR1 2HX. This event would run between 10am and 2pm

The Feed Supermarket, 65 Hall Road, Norwich NR1 3HC between 11am and 2pm

Training and support is available but there is little in the way of tech knowledge required. Indeed, all the relevant information is available in a leaflet that will be available to those people who attend the events.

So what we are looking for? 

At least 1 volunteer (prefer 2) at each venue who are prepared to cover a table with some leaflets and are prepared to engage with the public on the shutdown of the RTS. You will also have some leaflets to help promote the work of Neighbourhood Watch, As the local coordinator for this project I will be available before and during the event to support the volunteers who have come forward so they can feel confident and happy with the task.

So if you think this opportunity is for you then do contact me by using the reply button below or by phoning me  on 07773330109. Please respond promptly as the deadline is quite short,