Warmth4All has been awarded funding to continue for a second year, after establishing an innovative partnership with Widnes Foodbank and helping 1,300 local residents tackle fuel poverty.

We are now inviting community organisations, who may be interested in getting involved to contact us.

More than 1 in 5 people across the City Region are currently living in fuel poverty and with the recent announcement of significant fuel price rises; this number is expected to increase.

Warmth4All, managed by local environmental charity Energy Projects Plus, helps vulnerable households within Halton, Knowsley and Liverpool out of fuel poverty by working with community organisations such as Widnes Foodbank.

Funded by the Scottish Power Energy People Trust, the project has a face to face approach which is achieved by harnessing the support of faith communities via project partners Faiths4Change and Parish Power to take reducing fuel poverty to the heart of disadvantaged communities.

A major focus of activity for Warmth4All has involved the attendance of expert advisors from Energy Projects Plus across the network of six Widnes Foodbank centres, to give residents practical support to help them keep their homes warm at an affordable price. Clients are offered a wide range of support which includes energy saving advice, support to switch to a cheaper tariff, grants to clear fuel debt arrears and referrals for benefit maximisation and energy efficiency grants.

By working in partnership with Widnes Foodbank, the Warmth4All team can engage directly with the most vulnerable in an environment where clients feel supported. The two services complement each other; emergency issues are dealt with through the receipt of a food parcel and advice on financial support and fuel bills is provided to offer a longer term solution to fuel poverty.

Warmth4All also offers an accredited training programme to establish a network of Community Volunteer Energy Champions, enabling them to share advice and information across the community groups that they are part of. There are now 52 Warmth4All Energy Champions across the City Region, creating a legacy beyond the life of the project.

Peter Owen, Chief Executive at Energy Projects Plus says: “Warmth4All works with Widnes Foodbank to help people in immediate need and feedback from the people we’ve helped has been very positive. Fuel poverty is a growing problem across the City Region, so we invite community groups who may be interested in working with us to get in touch.”

Clare Bedford, Volunteer Project Manager for Widnes Foodbank said, “The Warmth4All team are making such a difference in people’s lives. We are proud to be part of making that happen.”

Those interested in finding out more can contact Emma Ashcroft on Emma.Ashcroft@epplus.org.uk.