Tackling the Cold
This course is designed for frontline staff who support vulnerable or low‑income groups who are at risk during cold weather.
It explores the health impacts of cold conditions and identifies the groups most likely to be affected. The course highlights common areas of heat loss within the home and outlines practical measures to create a warmer, more energy‑efficient living environment. It also introduces key sources of advice and assistance to help householders prepare effectively for cold weather.
Tackling the Cold is designed for frontline staff working with vulnerable and low-income groups who are at risk from cold weather.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
- Explain safe indoor temperatures and how the cold impacts on health and wellbeing
- Identify those groups at risk from the cold
- Explain heat loss from the home
- State basic tips for keeping warm and achieving a warmer home
- Identify sources of advice and assistance for achieving a warmer home
COURSE CONTENT
- Health impacts associated with the cold
- Recommended indoor temperatures
- Excess Winter Deaths
- Groups at greater risk of harm from cold weather
- Practical tips to help high risk groups prepare for cold weather
- Heat loss in the home
- Signposting to help and assistance including:
- Warm Home Discount Scheme
- Winter Fuel Payment and Cold Weather Payment
- Local welfare assistance fund, household support fund 2023-24 and Discretionary Assistance fund in Wales
- Energy Company Obligation (ECO)
- Nest fuel poverty scheme in Wales
- Home Upgrade Grant in England
- Ofgem’s Fuel Poor Network Extension Scheme
- Priority Services Register – fuel suppliers and Distribution Network Operators (DNO)
Please note that the course content will focus mainly on England and Wales. If you are based in Northern Ireland or Scotland and interested in this course, please contact trainingadmin@nea.org.uk before booking so we can discuss the main differences.
2.5 hours – a short comfort break will be included during the course.
The course is generally delivered online via webinar but can also be delivered in-person upon request.
The information on this page relates to webinar delivery only.
If you are interested in an in-person course, please contact trainingadmin@nea.org.uk for further details.

Find out more
Webinars are delivered live by our expert tutors and designed for small groups, ensuring a high level of interaction, engaging activities, and support throughout.
We typically use Zoom for our online sessions.
To join, learners will need a device with internet access and sound capability, along with a microphone and webcam to enable full participation.
Once booked, learners should receive a confirmation of booking e-mail. Joining instructions will be sent the week before the course.
We offer a programme of open access webinars for individuals to enrol onto.
Yes, in-house/ group webinars can be arranged upon request. Please contact us for further details.
In-house/ group courses can be delivered in person upon request. Please contact us for further details and fees.
Funded places are available to non-commercial/ not for profit organisations based in England and Wales (such as local authorities, housing associations, advice agencies etc). Learners must also be frontline staff or volunteers that encounter and provide advice to those in or at risk of fuel poverty.
This applies to to online delivery only.
After the session, learners will receive a handout booklet summarising and reinforcing the key topics covered during the course.
All courses and processes are assessed in line with BSI ISO 9001 quality management standards.
To maintain their effectiveness, courses are reviewed and updated on a regular basis. If you identify any gaps, inaccuracies, or areas for improvement, we encourage you to share your feedback with us.
If you have any questions, please contact us to discuss.
Fees and funded places
| Eligibility criteria for a funded place |
|---|
| FUNDED PLACES are available to non-commercial organisations based in England and Wales (such as local authorities, housing associations, advice agencies etc). Learners must also be frontline staff or volunteers that encounter and provide advice to those in or at risk of fuel poverty. Online delivery only. |
| Not for profit organisation | Commercial organisation | |
|---|---|---|
| Open access webinar – per person | £70 plus VAT | £80 plus VAT |
| Group webinar – per course | Contact NEA for details | Contact NEA for details |
| In-person – per course | Contact NEA for details | Contact NEA for details |
| Not for profit organisation | Commercial organisation | |
|---|---|---|
| Open access webinar – per person | £80 plus VAT | £90 plus VAT |
| Group webinar – per course | Contact NEA for details | Contact NEA for details |
| In-person – per course | Contact NEA for details | Contact NEA for details |
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