Toasty is helping schools become fuel poverty aware
Fuel poverty can be a hidden barrier to learning. Across the UK, 6 million children are affected by living in cold homes, which can have an impact on their physical and mental wellbeing, as well as their ability to learn and achieve at school.
Our Education Team works with schools to raise awareness of fuel poverty and energy efficiency through engaging workshops and educational resources for their students. Our aim is to help schools become ‘fuel poverty aware’ and give children the knowledge and confidence to understand the practical, financial and environmental aspects of energy use in their homes.
Meet Toasty, our energy saving squirrel!
Toasty was imaginatively brought to life by talented artist and illustrator Sally Pring. Through fun activities, workshops and resources, he shares simple energy-saving tips and helps children explore important topics such as heat loss, energy efficiency and renewable energy resources.
With Toasty’s help, we make learning about energy fun, accessible and memorable, while encouraging children to become energy aware and share what they learn with others.
Q&A with Toasty the Squirrel
Q: Hi Toasty! Tell us a little bit about yourself.
Toasty: Hello, I’m Toasty the Squirrel, and I’m the mascot for the National Energy Action Education Team. I’m on a mission to help children and young people learn all about keeping warm and saving energy!
Q: What do you do with the Education Team?
Toasty: I help the Education Team deliver fun and engaging workshops and create resources for schools. I’m there to help make energy topics easier to understand and hopefully a lot more fun! I can also help schools achieve a shiny new badge when they become Fuel Poverty Aware schools after working with us.
Q: What’s your favourite thing about visiting schools?
Toasty: Meeting curious pupils! I love seeing children ask questions, get involved in activities, and discover something new about energy.
Q: Why is energy important?
Toasty: We use energy every day. We need it to heat our homes, power our lights and appliances, travel, work and learn. Understanding where our energy comes from and how we use it can help us make better choices about our energy use and the cost to ourselves and the environment.
Q: How can we save energy?
Toasty: There are lots of ways. Switching off lights and electrical equipment when they aren’t needed, avoiding wasting heat and making sure doors and windows are closed when appropriate can all help. Every little bit of energy awareness can make a difference.
Q: What is fuel poverty?
Toasty: Fuel poverty is when a household finds it difficult to afford the energy it needs to stay warm and healthy. Living in a cold home can affect people’s health and wellbeing and can also make it harder for children to learn.
Q: Finally, what would you like children to remember?
Toasty: Remember, warm homes start with small steps.
