Fighting Fuel Poverty

the Environment Centre (tEC) was funded for two years by the ScottishPower Energy People Trust to run a comprehensive outreach programme to address fuel poverty in southern England. By mapping data on fuel poverty using GIS software, we were able to identify the most at-risk areas to target our work.

Working together with local authorities in Hampshire, Isle of Wight and West Sussex we delivered a programme of community roadshows, staff training and school activities to promote energy efficiency improvements as a means to lifting vulnerable people out of fuel poverty.

An estimated 20,000 people have benefited from this project, finding out more about the risks of fuel poverty and the benefits of living in a well insulated, energy efficient home.

This included 37 vulnerable older residents who had their lofts cleared and insulated through partnership working with the Wheatsheaf Trust and Eastleigh Borough Council. Without this service these residents would have been unable to improve their home insulation.

The project was especially timely due to the publication in May 2011 of the Marmot Review Team's report, "The Health Impacts of Cold Homes and Fuel Poverty", which clearly showed the link between thermal inefficiency, low living temperatures and ill health. We were able to spread this information to key frontline staff, enabling them to identify any at-risk clients and signpost them to appropriate sources of help.

We have developed a considerable base of expertise and resources through this project. For further information on the services that we can offer to you or your organisation please call us on 023 8033 6172.

Trainees clear and insulate lofts (Photo: Joshua Cook)