Understanding poverty and health: Impacts on physical and mental health
- Thu, 15 Jan 2026
This course provides front-line staff with a clear understanding of how cold, damp, or poorly heated homes contribute to both physical and mental health problems. Participants will learn to recognise the signs of fuel poverty, understand its health impacts, and identify the range of support services available to help individuals and families affected.
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
- 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)
2.5 hours
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.
More information
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.
We offer a programme of open access webinars for individuals to enrol onto.
Group webinars and in-person courses can also be arranged upon request.
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: trainingadmin@nea.org.uk
Webinar prices
| Not for profit organisation | Commercial organisation | |
|---|---|---|
| Open access webinar – per person | £70 + VAT | £80 + VAT |
| Group webinar – per course | Contact NEA for details | Contact NEA for details |
| Not for profit organisation | Commercial organisation | |
|---|---|---|
| Open access webinar – per person | £80 + VAT | £90 + VAT |
| Group webinar – per course | Contact NEA for details | Contact NEA for details |
access member prices
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