Tackling affordability and fuel poverty

The project is based on identifying and partnering with local charities in areas of high deprivation, fuel poverty, and risk to carbon monoxide poisoning, to support people living in vulnerable situations.

We’ve provided £1.7m of funding to Birmingham Community HealthCare (BCHC) NHS Foundation Trust Charity to set up a new team to support the DAWS project (Direct Access to Wellbeing Services).

Together they work with patients and the community across Birmingham.

The ongoing cost-of-living crisis has had a devastating impact on vulnerable communities, and rising food and fuel costs have exacerbated existing social and health inequalities, leaving many struggling to maintain a safe and warm home. 

Through this initiative, YMCA and its partners aim to provide holistic, place-based support that addresses financial hardship, fuel poverty and well-being.

We’re working with Inspiring Fitness to provide underserved communities with free access to exercise and wellbeing support as part of our Centres for Warmth (CfW) programme.

Accessibility and inclusivity are the core values of this project, and we aim to remove all barriers to joining our exercise, and wellbeing sessions.