Affordable warmth and health
If your house isn't warm enough it could
affect your health and
quality of life. In some cases it can lead to
death.
The national
Fuel Poverty Strategy helps us identify areas and
households that are most in need.
The Affordable Warmth Charter
We want to make sure everyone in the Wakefield district lives in a warm, healthy and energy-efficient home.
There are 5 key objectives in the
Affordable Warmth Charter:
1. Energy efficient homes
We are a part of
Better Homes Wakefield delivering energy efficiency in the district.
We are using money from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) to deliver energy efficiency schemes in the district.
External wall insulation in Castleford
Installing external wall insulation and other energy saving measures in targeted areas in Castleford
Fuel Poverty Fund referrals
Heating upgrades and repairs for people with health conditions, low incomes and heating that doesn't work. If you work in an organisation that comes into contact with members of the public who you think may be eligible
please complete the referral form.
We also offer an Energy Savers Loan to help with the cost of energy saving measures. Interest free loans are available up to £7,000 and repayable over 5 years to
spread the cost.
2. Awareness and education
The energy team holds events, awareness raising and advice sessions across the year to support schemes and raise awareness with partners and communities in the district.
Community group sessions
Sessions available to community groups can be tailored to suit the audience, but could be from a 20 mins talk to a full morning or afternoon talk to your existing group. You could be advised on:
- Current schemes and financial assistance to install energy saving measures
- How to switch energy suppliers
- Financial assistance towards energy bill payments
- Home energy saving tips
- Any other relevant information
We aim to make sessions fun and interactive often starting with a simple quiz.
To book a session or discuss your needs
please complete the booking form.
Frontline worker sessions
Frontline worker sessions can be tailored to suit the venue and the audience. These sessions will allow workers to pass on the training and information to client groups and may include the following topics:
- General understanding of the energy market
- Understanding tariffs and billing information
- Energy cost comparison
- Payment methods - pros and cons
- How to deal with energy complaints
- Additional funding and support available
Our energy information sheet pulls together the current schemes and includes information from major energy suppliers to help
find the right schemes.
3. Affordable energy
Affordable energy depends on your household income, fuel price and energy efficiency of your home.
We are working with partners to deliver advice on:
4. Working with partners
We are committed to working with partners to deliver affordable warmth across the district. Cold homes are a problem that can only be tackled by organisations and individuals from a range of sectors all working together. This helps to maximise and make best use of the resources available, save on intervention costs and reach those most in need.
We work with charities and community groups to support delivery of their fuel poverty schemes.
We use resources and promotional materials from Npower, Scottish Power and E.on.
The Wakefield Affordable Warmth Partnership meets every three months to discuss progress on pledges to the charter and also provides a forum to discuss:
Join our partnership,
submit an expression of interest/joining form
Current Members of the Wakefield Affordable Warmth partnership who have signed up to the charter and given a pledge include:
E.ON
Scottish Power
Groundwork Trust
Leeds City Credit Union
Wakefield District Housing
Wakefield Council Public Health
Wakefield Council Sustainability Team
YES Energy Solutions
Citizens Advice Wakefield
If you agree with us that everyone in the Wakefield district should live in a warm, healthy and energy efficient home, then sign-up to the principles of the
Wakefield Affordable Warmth Charter.
Organisations who can demonstrate they promote the charter’s principles and show commitment to delivering activity will be awarded the Wakefield Affordable Warmth Charter Mark.
5. Influencing the Affordable Warmth agenda
National, regional and local policy needs to reflect our local affordable warmth issues to best meet the needs of Wakefield District residents.
The issue of affordable warmth and fuel poverty should continue to be promoted to local politicians and forums. The Wakefield Affordable Warmth Partnership therefore also provides a forum to discuss:
Local policies on affordable warmth
New policy information sharing and best practice
Joint responses to government consultation
We also have local representation on the National Energy Action Yorkshire & Humber Fuel Poverty Forum, and the Association of Local Energy Officers East Pennine (ALEO East Pennine). We are able to ensure Wakefield involvement in:
Examining policy and practical initiatives related to fuel poverty
Showcase of innovative provision and best practice
Promotion of dialogue and discussion on shaping policy developments and campaigns.