Community champions generate warmth
Homes in west Belfast have been fighting fuel poverty by learning more about how to make their homes more energy efficient.
The Public Health Agency (PHA) teamed up with National Energy Action (NEA) and the Whiterock & Westrock Residents’ Association to tackle the problem in the area by offering advice on how to insulate homes better, cut costs by shopping around for fuel and best access grants, services and benefits.
One resident found that they were eligible for an additional annual £5,500 in employment and support allowance paid by the Social Security Agency.
Séamus Mullen, the PHA’s Head of Health and Social Wellbeing in Belfast, said: “The PHA is committed to working with our partners in the community to support those who experience fuel poverty and addressing the inequalities that exist. This project aimed to ensure people were made aware of all the services available to them and help them avoid fuel poverty, which not only can have a financial impact but also health and wellbeing implications.
“Not being able to heat your home properly can lead to cold-related illness and long-term health implications such as respiratory diseases, and poses a particular problem for older people.”
Volunteers from the community called door-to-door to assess residents’ needs through questionnaires and relayed the information back to the NEA. The research showed that almost half of the 100 homes surveyed needed to use heaters, in addition to their home heating systems, to keep them warm.
Pat Austin, Director of NEA Northern Ireland, said: “We commend the residents for having the foresight to push on with this project. It enabled us to target available resources and understand the local needs of people in the Whiterock Westrock area. The Public Health Agency has also been instrumental in helping us understand the impact of cold homes on health and wellbeing. The project reinforces the message that people need to check their benefit entitlements at least once a year.”
As well as being provided with energy efficiency advice and information, Belfast City Council provided winter warmth packs to residents and supported an advice worker to carry out the benefit entitlement checks.
Pat Gregory of Whiterock & Westrock Residents’ Association added: “To be chosen as one of the first areas to have this scheme in an urban settlement was an achievement in itself but for it to benefit some of our residents was a huge success. We hope that this can be rolled out to more areas throughout the country.”