Diversity forum focuses on fuel poverty

On 24 November, 18 residents attended an open diversity forum event, which was all about fuel poverty.

Peabody staged the event after receiving a small grant from National Energy Action as part of the Warm Homes Campaign. The grant paid for environmental charity Global Action Plan to tailor a workshop for the event.

At the workshop, participants discussed what fuel poverty is and what effect it might have on Peabody residents. According to the technical definition, households experience fuel poverty when 10% or more of the household income is spent on energy bills. The group felt that some of Peabody’s residents were likely to be affected by fuel poverty, including older people and people with disabilities.

 
Staff and residents attend the diversity forum's workshop on fuel poverty. 

Lots of people want to reduce energy use to save money and do their bit for the environment. The group found out which types of household appliance were energy guzzlers and how to minimise the cost of using essential household appliances – especially the kettle!

Peabody’s portfolio includes a great deal of older property, some built in the late 19th century. The group heard about both the good and bad experiences of living in older properties, as well as the work of the Decent Homes programme.

Residents attend the diversity forum's fuel poverty event.

The group also heard about some of the help available, which includes:

• a debt, money, and energy advice project run by Money Advice Plus
• special price plans called ‘social tariffs’ offered by energy companies for people having problems affording their energy bills
• top energy saving tips
• grants available from energy trusts to help tackle fuel debt

One of the most important aspects of the event for Peabody was the ideas it helped generate about communicating information to our residents. These included producing a fridge magnet, posters on notice boards and playing recorded information while customers are on hold on the phone.

We’d like to thank all of the residents who took part in the event – for their ideas and for helping to make it such fun.

For information about any of the services mentioned here please contact moneymatters@peabody.org.uk.

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