Fuel poverty is a growing social and environmental crisis in Britain. It is commonly defined as “the state of having to spend more than one-third of your total income on fuel in order to heat your home.” This statistic has been steadily increasing over the past few years, affecting both people’s living standards and the environment.
How being in Fuel Poverty impacts Mental Health And Well-Being
The impact of a recession on individual’s mental health has been widely researched. The independent Mental Health Foundation in the UK found that “the combination of financial pressures, worries about job security and a lack of control over our lives is taking its toll on people’s well-being.” This echoes other studies which point to a link between poverty and poor mental health. Research suggests that people living in poverty are more likely to experience anxiety and depression than those who live above the poverty line.
With energy costing more than ever and colder months here, it is no surprise that energy worries are impacting on the current mental health crisis.
What help is available?
LEAP is a free service that is helping people keep warm. Green Energy Switch currently provide Leap Visits in our local area. This includes Peterborough, Rutland, Fenland and South Cambridgeshire. The wider Leap service is offered in most areas within the U.K.
We will help with advice on how to reduce your energy bills. We will also help you understand all aspects of your energy with a FREE home energy visit from a knowledgeable Energy Advisor. The Energy Advisor will ensure they conduct a thorough energy audit with you. This will include information on which discounts/funds you may be eligible for. The Advisor will also help install some free energy saving goodies, including LED lightbulbs.
Meet one of our Leap Advisor’s Emma https://www.greenenergyswitch.co.uk/about/
To book your visit today, please visit https://applyforleap.org.uk/ . If you want to talk to us in more detail, please call 01733 646253 option 2.
