Cadent Foundation was set up to provide funding to charities which support individuals and households living in fuel poverty. While our charity partners work tirelessly to support those living in vulnerable situations, it has become clear that people may not be aware of fuel poverty.
Put simply, it refers to households which cannot afford to heat their home to a safe and comfortable level. A household is considered to be in fuel poverty if it needs to spend 10 per cent or more of its income maintain an adequate level of warmth in the home.
The challenges associated with rising living costs may result in people finding themselves living in fuel poverty for the first time, leading to more households at risk.
Living in fuel poverty can have serious implications for health and wellbeing, resulting from the cold but also notably a rise in mould and damp. By reducing the frequency of heating in the home, condensation is more likely to occur as the moisture in the air makes surfaces damp. It is recommended that heating is turned on regularly during colder months, but unfortunately this is not an option for households living in fuel poverty.
The resultant mould and damp can lead to respiratory issues, skin irritation and poor mental health.
Households living in fuel poverty can receive support, such as help with energy bills. While there are some government schemes available, we also recommend reaching out to one of our charity partners, which all offer support to households living in fuel poverty:
See all our partners and how they support on our Partners and projects page.
