Council supports Fuel Poverty Awareness Day

Blackburn with Darwen Council is joining forces with local and national organisations to support Fuel Poverty Awareness Day taking place tomorrow (Friday 15 February).

The national day of recognition is designed to highlight the problems faced by those struggling to keep warm in their homes and all the work being undertaken to tackle the issue.

2017/18 saw 6,800 Excess Winter Deaths in the North West, 2,040 of which could be attributed to cold homes.

In Blackburn, the Care Network Hub will be hosting ‘Blackburn with Darwen’s Biggest Housewarming’ event from 1-3pm at 9 Town Hall Street, Blackburn, BB2 1AG.

The event, which is open to all, will help raise awareness of the risks linked to people living in cold homes, as well as the support available to help people combat fuel poverty.

Find out more here.

The Council is also working with National Energy Action (NEA) – the national charity seeking to end fuel poverty – to promote their practical advice and guidance on staying warm and well.

Several videos have been produced on how to know if you’re in fuel poverty, paying for energy, maximising income, how to make your home warmer, how to switch supplier and how to stay safe at home.

Visit the NEA’s website to watch the videos and for more information.

You can get involved with Fuel Poverty Awareness Day on social media using the hashtags: #FuelPovertyAwarenessDay and #WarmSafeHomes

Councillor Brian Taylor, Executive Member for Health and Adult Social Care, said:

We are delighted to support this activity around Fuel Poverty Awareness Day and invite as many people as possible to get involved. Keeping people warm and healthy is vitally important and a key priority for us.

This national day of recognition raises much needed awareness of just how difficult it is for families and individuals who struggle with fuel poverty and gives practical advice and guidance on what we can do to tackle it.