Blog: When I get cold I turn on the heating, but others aren’t so lucky…
Community Resource Fundraising Manager Stacey Teece shares how her work for the charity has opened her eyes to the hidden fuel poverty in the county, and what people can do to help their neighbours in need…
I have lived in Shropshire for more than 20 years and I can’t imagine being anywhere else. The county’s rolling hills and picturesque towns and villages are as beautiful in real life as they look on the posters we use to attract visitors, and I feel very lucky to live here.
But I think it’s important to recognise and see the full picture of the place you call home. I am incredibly fortunate: when I get cold I turn on the heating, when I need hot water I turn on the tap, but others aren’t so lucky.
The cost-of-living crisis coupled with the recent announcement that average energy bills are set to rise by £94 in January means it’s becoming increasingly difficult for many households to afford the basic necessity of a warm and comfortable home.
Over 23,000 individuals in our county face fuel poverty each year, surpassing the national average. Our county’s unique rural landscape compounds the issue, with 57% living in rural areas where fuel poverty is rampant. Nearly 50,000 homes are off the mains gas grid, so they rely on more expensive heating fuels, such as oil, LPG, and electricity to heat their homes. Household wage levels across our county remain low and stagnant as energy costs have climbed sharply in the last decade.
Working for Community Resource, a local charity whose mission is to enable people in Shropshire to enjoy a good quality of life, means I hear the stories behind the statistics. One woman I spoke to said she could only afford to eat a single banana for the whole day as she was worried she wouldn’t be able to keep her home warm. Others have shared the stress they feel when receiving chemotherapy treatments but are unable to turn on their heating because they don’t know when they might be able to return to work and pay their bills.
The ramifications of fuel poverty extend far beyond cold homes. Health deteriorates, mental strain intensifies, and choices become harsher. The impact isn’t just about the present, it’s about the long-term effects on physical and mental well-being, especially for the elderly and vulnerable. The impact of cold on the elderly should be a significant concern for Shropshire with its aging population and growing pressure on health and social care budgets.
Today is Fuel Poverty Awareness Day and I encourage you to think about what you could do to help vulnerable households across Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin who are facing a cold, hard winter.
I’ll be supporting Community Resource’s Warmer Winter Appeal, which is a lifeline for people across our county who are facing fuel poverty. Through our work with local referral agencies over the past 10 years, we’ve supported over 300 households to have a warm, stress-free winter.
To find our more visit justgiving.com/campaign/shropshirefuelpoverty and be a part of our Warmer Winter Appeal.
