NEA Northern Ireland Conference
Action on Fuel Poverty - Finding it - Fixing it
24 and 25 February 2009 - Templepatrick
Click here to download the Agenda and booking form 
NEA NI calling for radical rethink in approach to tackling fuel poverty
Energy Champions to star at Armagh Planetarium
Six energy ‘stars’ received their certificates at the Armagh Planetarium at noon on Thursday April 3 2008 having achieved their NEA / City and Guilds Energy Awareness Qualification.
Paul Wallace of National Energy Action (NEA NI) the leading fuel poverty charity campaigning for warm homes said: “I congratulate the students on this magnificent achievement. We are delighted to have come together with TADA Rural Support Network to deliver this programme of training to community workers. At a time when fuel prices are at an all time high making it more difficult for people to adequately heat their home, and with an increasing emphasis on environmental issues, it is vitally important that we get key energy efficiency messages and information out into local communities.
“We know that the community development approach is fundamental to tackling fuel poverty and gaining knowledge and information is a crucial part of this process. We acknowledge Abbey Charitable Trust's vision and foresight in funding this initiative thus helping to make the training possible."
A spokesperson from Abbey Armagh branch said: “Abbey Charitable Trust is committed to supporting local communities. Education and training is one of our priority funding groups and we were delighted to provide funding to help train energy advisers in the Community Energy Efficiency Programme. We wish the advisers every success as they go on to share the knowledge gained with others.”
NEA NI worked in partnership with the Community Energy Adviser for the TADA Rural Support Network to deliver the NEA/City & Guilds Energy Awareness training to the students who will become energy champions in their communities.
Grainne Close, Development Manager TADA Rural Support Network said: “Energy efficiency is the responsibility of everyone in our community. This project raises awareness and helps people stay warm, save money and energy. It is fantastic that local people have had the opportunity to take part in the programme. TADA Rural Support Network is delighted to have the opportunity to work in partnership with NEA NI and with Southern Investing for Health Partnership (SIfH) to deliver the training.”
Lyn Donnelly, Manager of SIfH Partnership said: “The Neighbourhood and Environment Issue Group of the Partnership is committed to reducing fuel poverty in the Southern area. It supports the Community Energy Adviser in her important work to tackle inequalities and improve the health and well-being of those individuals and families in fuel poverty.”
The certificates were presented by Helen Bready, City and Guilds Nations Manager. Helen said: “I am delighted to be awarding these City and Guilds certificates in Energy Awareness, not only is this a very topical subject for all of us where energy efficiency is key to doing our bit for global warming, but also the learning within this area is being recognised in a formal way.”
Speakers at the event included the TADA Rural Support Network, Southern Investing for Health (SIfH) and NEA NI.
For more information about the Community Energy Efficiency Programme contact
Ewa Babicka Tel 028 3839 8888 or email info@tadaruralsupportnetwork.org .
Ends
Notes to editors:
- NEA campaigns for affordable warmth in the homes of vulnerable people. Visit www.nea.org.uk
- Fuel poverty is defined as the situation in which a household would have to spend more than 10% of household income to maintain an acceptable level of temperature throughout the home.
For more information contact Paul Wallace NEA NI 028 9023 9909
Abbey’s Charitable Trust
Abbey’s Charitable Trust works closely with charities and voluntary organisations, particularly in the seven areas where Abbey has a significant staff presence. In each of these areas there is an Abbey Community Partnership Group, consisting of employee committees with local voluntary sector input, who advise on making donations within their area. Donations can be given to projects that support disadvantaged people through: education and training; local regeneration projects; and financial advice.
In 2006, Abbey made a total contribution of £1.9 million to the community. Since the Trust was set up in 1990, it has donated over £20 million to good causes throughout the UK.
Abbey is a wholly owned subsidiary of Banco Santander Central Hispano, S.A. (“Santander”) (SAN.MC, STD.N).
Warmer Ways to Better Health line of attack on fuel poverty
The Warm Homes Campaign celebration held in Ballymoney Town Hall in Thursday 29 November 2007 provided an ideal opportunity to showcase the Warmer Ways to Better Health ‘line of attack’ on fuel poverty in the Northern Investing for Health Partnership area.
Speaking at the opening of the event Paul Wallace from NEA acknowledged the vision, hard work, and enthusiasm that is being displayed by the Northern Investing for Health Partnership in their determination to tackle fuel poverty.
Referring to the Investing for Health Strategy published by Government in March 2002 Elaine O’Doherty, Advocate for Health and Wellbeing Improvement from the Northern Investing for Health Partnership, spoke about how it recognised the impact that living in a cold damp home can have on the wider health and well being of the population.
She went on to speak about how the Northern Investing for Health Partnership was established to take forward the implementation of the strategy and how Stephen Murray, former Investing for Health Manager, had worked closely with the ten Councils and other agencies across the Partnership’s area to secure support for the Fuel Poverty Strategy. Elaine explained that Stephen had moved to a six month secondment and looked forward to working with local partners and groups as she takes on Stephen’s role.
In taking forward the Warmer Ways to Better Health Strategy, it was recognised that each of the ten council areas in the Northern HSS Board area has its own characteristics and therefore benefits from an approach that takes account of local factors. Councillor Ian Stevenson spoke about the work of the Ballymoney Warmer Homes Group which he said had been proactive in moving forward a range of initiatives designed to raise awareness and tackle the issue of fuel poverty. Cllr Stevenson told those present about the success of the Ballymoney Affordable Fuel Scheme and of Council’s participation in the Warmer Ways to Better Health grant scheme.
Jacqui Frazer, Fuel Poverty Strategy Coordinator, gave an excellent overview of the outstanding achievements of the Northern Investing for Health Partnership’s Fuel Poverty Steering Group to date. She informed delegates about the work of five local Warmer Homes Groups as well as the increasing popularity and spread of the oil stamp schemes. She was pleased to report that the Warmer Ways to Better Health grant scheme would, this year, benefit 230 households across the Partnership’s area. Jacqui commended the local energy efficiency advisers and benefits workers who have raised awareness about fuel poverty and energy efficiency among health and social care workers, housing officers, voluntary agencies and community organisations and whose work has led, over the past 12 months, to almost 900 referrals to a variety of grant schemes. Jacqui thanked the members of the Fuel Poverty Steering Group and local Warmer Homes Groups for their continued support and commitment; she said that the successes to date were as a result of partners working together and hoped that that would continue.
In tackling fuel poverty across the N IFH partnership area, one of the agreed aims is to increase the capacity of partners to respond through training. Action is being taken to fulfil this aim and gave further opportunity to celebrate achievement at the event. Six people, Maura Barker, Eamon Cullen, David Foster, Jacqui Frazer, Kathy McCloy, and Ciara McCormack completed training and gained their NEA/City & Guild Energy Awareness Qualification.
Speaking before presenting the students with their certificates, Councillor Daithí McKay MLA congratulated them on their achievement. He also acknowledged the work that NEA and the NIfH Partnership are doing and spoke about the challenge to rid our society from the scourge of fuel poverty, and how we need to work together to ensure there are sufficient resources to tackle cold homes.
Notes to editors:
- ‘Warmer Ways to Better Health’, is a joint initiative co-ordinated between the Northern Health and Social Services Board, Northern Ireland Electricity, the Department for Social Development, and Antrim, Ballymoney, Coleraine, Moyle, Magherafelt, Cookstown, Newtownabbey and Larne councils as partners within the Northern Investing for Health initiative.
For more information contact: Pat Austin Director NEA NI 028 9023 9909 or 077 0321 03
Abbey Funds Energy Champions
NEA Northern Ireland – the leading fuel poverty charity - has landed a donation from Abbey Charitable Trust to train energy champions.
NEA will work in partnership with the Community Energy Adviser for the TADA Rural Support Network to deliver the NEA/City & Guilds Energy Awareness training to people who will become energy champions in their communities.
Frank Black from Abbey Armagh branch said: “Abbey Charitable Trust is committed to supporting local communities. Education and training is one of our priority funding groups and we are delighted to provide funding to help train energy advisers in the Community Energy Efficiency Programme. We wish the advisers every success with their training and also as they share energy advice with others enabling them to save energy while still staying warm in their home.”
An event, to launch the programme and celebrate the funding, was held on Wednesday 8 November 2007 in Saint Patrick's Trian Visitor Complex in Armagh City.
The launch took place during Warm Homes Week, a high profile campaign supported by eaga. The purpose of the Campaign is to raise awareness about initiatives that are helping those who are struggling to achieve affordable warmth.
Speakers included an opening address from the Mayor of Armagh, as well as MLAs, TADA Rural Support Network, Southern Investing for Health (SIHP) and NEA.
Paul Wallace, NEA Training Manager, said: “NEA is delighted to come together with TADA Rural Support Network to deliver a programme of energy awareness training to key community workers and we acknowledge Abbey Charitable Trust's vision and foresight in funding this. We know that the community development approach is fundamental to tackling fuel poverty and gaining knowledge and information is a crucial part of the process."
Lyn Donnelly, Manager of the SIHP said: “The Neighbourhood and Environment Issue Group of the Partnership is committed to reducing fuel poverty in the Southern area. It supports the Community Energy Adviser in her important work to tackle inequalities and improve the health and well-being of those individuals and families in fuel poverty.”
Grainne Close Development Manager TADA Rural Support Network said: “Energy efficiency is the responsibility of everyone in our community. This project raises awareness and helps people stay warm and save money and energy at the same time. It is fantastic that local people have the opportunity to take part in this programme and TADA Rural Support Network are delighted to have the opportunity to work in partnership with National Energy Action and Southern Investing for Health Partnership to deliver the training.”
For more information about the Community Energy Efficiency Programme call Ciara Burns
Tel: 02838398888 or email info@tadaruralsupportnetwork.org
For more information contact Pat Austin Director NEA NI 028 9023 9909
Four UK Nations and Republic of Ireland: Tackling fuel Poverty
Eastern Area Investing for Health Partnership and NEA NI held a seminar in Belfast on Tuesday 9th October 2007. The seminar provided an opportunity for the four nations of the UK and the Republic of Ireland to share how they are engaging around the fuel poverty agenda.
FIVE NATIONS APPROACH TO TACKLING FUEL POVERTY
Each of the nations shared their campaigning and stakeholder networking strategies that have been developed and that positively impact on the fuel poverty agenda.
Round table discussion gave participants the opportunity to debate what constitutes best practice in tackling fuel poverty in Northern Ireland. Topics from the discussions will be fed into the European Fuel Poverty and Energy Efficiency Intelligent Energy Programme.
Speakers included:
Anne Lynch, Eastern Area Investing for Health Partnership
Alan Shannon, Permanent Secretary DSD
Andrew Elliott Director, Population Health Directorate
Ruth Thompson, NEA Chair of the Board of Trustees
Pat Austin, Director NEA NI
Gwyndaf Hughes, Citizens Advice Bureau, Wales
Norrie Kerr, Director Energy Action Scotland
Jenny Saunders, Acting Chief Executive NEA
Fuel poverty debate resumes in Northern Ireland Assembly
Northern Ireland Energy Advice Forum – key to providing information and networking opportunities - March 2007
The recent forum was held on 6 March 2007 in the Trinity Community Initiative Centre in Lisburn.
The three guest speakers were:
- Jacqueline Frazer, Fuel Poverty Co-ordinator Northern Investing for Health Partnership;
- Dr Patrick Waterfield, Energy in Buildings Consultant; and
- Karin White, Senior Advisor/Money Advice Trainer East Belfast Independent Advice Centre.
Jacqueline gave an update on the Warmer Ways to Better Health Strategy for Tackling Fuel Poverty across the Northern Investing for Health Partnership Area and the progress that is being made through partnership working, training, investment, and the implementation of measures to help fuel poor households.
Patrick’s presentation covered current and upcoming developments in N Ireland regarding Regulation and Energy Performance Certification. He gave an overview of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, new terminology in Building Regulations Part F and legislative moves regarding the implementation of the Energy Performance Certificates.
Link to Patrick's presentation
Karin spoke about Financial Capability – Budgeting and Debt Management. She highlighted the plight of people in debt and the link to fuel poverty, and the steps that can be taken through advice to help. Karin also provided copies of the pack ‘Are You Worried About Money’ containing practical information and advice to help people gain control over their financial situation.
Pat Austin, Director NEA NI closed the event and gave an update on the current fuel poverty landscape in N Ireland.
NEA NI organises and facilitates the energy advice forum twice a year. The purpose of the forum is to keep energy advisers up to date with current developments and to provide networking opportunities. Feedback from the forum was very positive indicating that it is fulfilling its purpose and meeting a need. Energy efficiency advice continues to be a key component in the effort to help people keep their fuel costs down while still staying warm.
For information about this and other forums contact Paul Wallace on 028 9023 9909.
Fuel Poverty-Affordable Warmth - Nov 2006
- To highlight and discuss inequalities and income issues which impact on fuel poverty
- To identify how renewable energy can be a viable option in addressing fuel poverty
- To showcase some of the local solutions in reducing fuel poverty
50 delegates drawn from Power Utilities, Installers, Health , Housing and the voluntary sector attended a full day seminar on 7th November 2006. A report containing many of the fuel poverty facts and figures used by the eight speakers , including DSD, has just been made available. Contact Brenda Kerr for details or click on the picture to download.