Help People to Heat Their Homes and Access Support for Fuel Poverty with National Energy Action

This February, you can help people around the UK to afford to live in a safe, warm home with National Energy Action (NEA), the fuel poverty charity. They are taking part in the My Favourite Voucher Codes charity poll this month, and you can find out more about the incredible work they do below. 

What Does National Energy Action Do? 

National Energy Action (NEA), the fuel poverty charity, works to ensure that everyone can afford to live in a warm and safe home. From energy bills to the cost of food, many bills are on the rise at the moment. The impact of high bills, low incomes and poorly insulated housing has left households struggling to afford to heat their homes. Over the winter months, millions of people in the UK have been forced to make devasting choices between heating and eating. 

The energy crisis has pushed more people into desperate situations through increasingly high energy bills. This is coupled with millions living in homes with poor energy efficiency. Since October 2022, 6.7 million UK households are in fuel poverty. This leaves many people in an  impossible situation – going cold, hungry or falling into debt, sometimes all three.

National Energy Action (NEA) works across England, Wales and Northern Ireland to help vulnerable households who are most affected by the cost of living crisis. They advocate for improved housing and energy efficiency, offer advice on how to get the most for your money and how to save on energy bills and work with other organisations to find support for those on low incomes and those struggling to afford to heat their homes. 

This February we are due to enter a cold spell once again. For people unable to afford their heating bills, this is a troubling time. Even after the winter months are over, the impact of that energy use to stay warm in their own home means that many people will struggle with other essential costs such as food and travel.

Some of the key impacts of the energy and cost of living crisis include: 

• Debt: Many people go into debt as they cannot afford to pay bills, and thus end up in damaging financial situations
• Unsafe rationing: As people try to reduce the energy they use, they can end up sacrificing essentials such as heating and washing leading to health concerns
• Ill Health: Cold homes themselves can also be incredibly damaging to people’s health. They often lead to or exacerbate severe health issues such as bronchitis, asthma, strokes and heart attacks. Around 10,000 people die every year as the result of living in a cold home. 
• Mental Health: As well as the impact on physical health, living in cold homes and being unable to afford to properly live greatly affects people’s mental state. Depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts are prevalent in those living day to day not knowing whether they will be able to afford to be warm, eat or afford the basic essentials. 
• Education, Work and Children: Fuel poverty affects all aspects of life including education and work. Living in the cold has a detrimental effect on children’s homework and people who work from home, as they can struggle to physically work in freezing conditions. It can also affect sleep, and lead to social isolation and bullying as people avoid showering and other aspects of personal hygiene to save money. 

By April 2023, NEA estimate that 8.4 million UK households will be in fuel poverty, without government support. Demand for their services will be even greater. The situation is desperate, and the impact of fuel poverty and the energy crisis on families all over the UK will have a ripple effect for years to come.

How have National Energy Action made an impact? 

NEA has helped millions of people since they started 40 years ago, and now more than ever their campaigning and support is needed. 

They provide a number of services for people in need from practical help to make their home more energy efficient to advice and support for their circumstances. They offer advice on saving energy without sacrificing daily essentials, help people to access much needed benefits and financial support, and urge governmental change to improve the insulation of cold homes and increase the financial support available. They also work with other organisations to install energy efficient systems in homes, educate people, including children on energy use and campaign to raise awareness of the energy crisis and fuel poverty. 

Some of the key achievements they have had in 2021 – 2022 include: 

• Supported 7,700 people with energy information and advice. 6,587 households were helped through one-to-one casework and 906 people through group events. 
• Helped clients access £392,697 in crisis support, hardship funds and debt relief payments.This kept people on supply and took away the stress and burden of unmanageable debt repayments.
• Helped in securing government commitments to improving cold homes. 
• Installed over £2million of heating and insulation measures. This made long-term changes to people’s homes and ultimately helped to take people out of fuel poverty.

How Can I Support National Energy Action? 

One way to help NEA today is by voting for them in our February charity poll! Visit our Homepage now to cast your vote before the end of the month to support this fantastic charity in winning this month's donation. 

There are many other ways you can Support NEA too, such as by making a donation or taking part in a fundraising event.

Where Can I Contact National Energy Action? 

If you want to find out more about their work or are in need of their services, then you can get in touch with their friendly team. You can call them on 0191 261 5677 or send them a message via their Contact Us form. They also have a handy Webchat available weekdays, 1.00pm to 4.00pm. 

If they have your vote, make sure to support them in the poll and share the poll with friends and family to help them gain as many votes as possible. This February, you can help people heat their homes and survive during the energy crisis with the help of National Energy Action.