On Wednesday the 23rd of October, we celebrated two years of success at the Stay Warm in Newham project in partnership with Cadent Foundation, and Groundwork. Rising energy costs and the current cost-of-living crisis have left many low-income families with the difficult decision of choosing between heating and eating. This project, which was launched in January 2023, was created to provide practical and personalised support to Newham residents struggling with rising fuel costs. However, two years on since its inception, it has flourished into something more than we could have imagined.
The Stay Warm in Newham project has many different branches, but the root of it is to stand alongside vulnerable and struggling members of our community, and provide them with the tools, advice, and knowledge to better manage their rising fuel costs.
In the past two years, we have
- Run 232 warm bank sessions, providing an open and inviting space for the community
- Spoken to 1188 residents on energy saving tips advice across the borough
- Made 118 referrals for in-depth advice from Groundwork’s Green Doctors
- Run two series of energy saving cooking class for the community
- Recruited and trained 20 energy champion volunteers
- Run 60 outreach events in collaboration with our partners – Stratford Job Centre, Age UK, Sister Circle, Newham Disability Rep Forum, Bonny Downs, and Newham Council
We are so proud of how far we have come with the Stay Warm in Newham project, and it would not be possible without our funders the Cadent Foundation, Groundwork, and our partners at Newham Council. Our Energy Champion Volunteers are also a vital part of this project, and their dedication and willingness to learn and help is what makes this project so transformative.
Our partners at the Cadent Foundation recently announced that they will be injecting a £2 million ‘emergency’ Support fund into communities struggling with fuel poverty this winter. This fund will once again, support people living in the most vulnerable situations across England, including pensioners no longer able to access Winter Fuel Allowance.
You can find out more here
