South Yorkshire Charity Takes Fuel Insecurity into Their Own Hands

A South Yorkshire based charity have hit the ground running with a new specialist energy support programme to assist local families experiencing fuel poverty.

YWCA Yorkshire, a leading charity empowering women, children and families through a range of housing and wrap-around services, has allocated an Energy and Fuel Poverty Advisor to support families in Sheffield, Rotherham and Doncaster.

Fuel insecurity is a household's inability to adequately heat their home, cook food, and access energy due to poverty, volatile energy prices, or reliance on prepayment meters.

Last week, on his second day as Prime Minister, Andy Burnham declared that as of the 1 October 2026, the government would cut taxes on energy bills to “put more money in people’s pockets and bring back hope”.

However, for many families fuel poverty has not become a topic of conversation because of the recent media attention, it is a daily real-life issue that has a huge impact on mental and physical health.

Whilst the government recognising the issue and implementing a change is a positive step in the right direction, real impact happens when families are approached on a personal level and are advised and educated based on their specific circumstances.

The charity has built trusted relationships within the communities they serve by offering person-centred and trauma-informed support making them an ideal catalyst to target those who need this level of assistance the most.

Earlier this year the charity applied for and won the Energy Redress Scheme grant funded through the Energy Industry Voluntary Redress Scheme.

The funding created an opportunity for a designated Energy and Fuel Poverty Advisor to assists families in keeping households warm, reducing costs and improving energy efficiency.

The assistance is available to all families supported by YWCA Yorkshire over an 18-month period. It offers a broad range of advice such as; energy advice interventions, targeted energy saving measures, personalised energy action plans, and additional support through the energy crisis fund.

The purpose of the new role is to create greater energy knowledge and confidence, reducing financial pressures resulting in warmer, healthier homes.

YWCA Yorkshire Chief Executive, Diane Offers, said: “Families across the UK have been heavily impacted by the rise in energy prices over recent years and the cost of living has taken the legs from under many families.

“When these pressures hit those that are already disadvantaged, they have to make incredibly difficult decisions that no family should face.

“The Energy Redress Scheme has been implemented to offer support to families that have been suffering the consequences of the rise of fuel costs. Through these dedicated home visits and tailored interventions, households can benefit significantly and we can create long-term positive outcomes for our families.”

If you would like to learn more about the Energy Redress Scheme, please visit the YWCA Yorkshire website here: https://www.ywcayorkshire.org.uk/