Understanding Fuel Poverty and Health: Impacts on Physical and Mental Health
The physical effects of living in a cold, damp home are well recognised and rightly emphasised, but the mental health impacts of fuel poverty also deserve attention.
This course is designed for frontline staff who support vulnerable or low‑income individuals at risk of living in cold and damp conditions. It explores how fuel poverty can influence both physical and mental health, and how these challenges may affect the way individuals engage with the energy market.
This course is designed for frontline staff coming into contact with vulnerable and low-income groups who are at risk from living in cold and damp homes.
OBJECTIVES
- Explore different fuel poverty definitions
- Identify the main risk factors that increase the chances of a household being in fuel poverty
- Examine the impacts of fuel poverty and cold homes on physical and mental health
- Explain how tackling fuel poverty could improve physical and mental health
- Explore ways to support clients
CONTENT
- Explore different fuel
- Definitions of fuel poverty used in England and Wales
- Risk factors associated with fuel poverty
- Impact of living in a cold home on physical health
- Recommended indoor temperatures
- Possible impacts of living in a cold home on mental health
- Issues people with ill health might have interacting with the energy market and managing their energy
- Signposting to help and assistance including:
-
- Winter Fuel Payment and Cold Weather Payment
- Warm Home Discount
- Energy Company Obligation (ECO)
- Nest fuel poverty scheme in Wales
- Home Upgrade Grant
- 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
| 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 |
| Eligibility criteria |
|---|
| 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. |
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