A Helping Hand in the Face of Fuel Poverty


May 21, 2024

An alarming number of households are facing fuel poverty. According to estimates by National Energy Action, approximately 6 million UK households are currently unable to afford the necessary heating to keep their homes warm.

Prolonged periods when households struggle to pay their bills can lead to increasing levels of debt. This vicious cycle of debt can be incredibly difficult to escape from, leaving households in a distressing financial situation. In some extreme cases, this can even lead to unsafe energy rationing, where households try to use as little energy as possible, and even voluntary self-disconnection by those with prepayment meters in an effort to spend less (National Energy Action).

In response to this issue, We Are Group offers a helping hand. We provide Financial Skills training that teaches people how to manage their money effectively, maximise their income, earn extra income, and ultimately improve their financial wellbeing.

Fuel poverty, as well as changes in the pension system, the increasing complexity of financial services, and inflation, are some of the reasons behind the urgent need for individuals to have the knowledge and skills that will increase their financial resilience and wellbeing (Journal of Financial Literacy and Wellbeing).

Alongside our Debt Advice service, our Financial Skills training enables individuals to make informed decisions about money, and utilise financial skills and resources to benefit them and their families. In other words, our Financial Skills service increases people’s financial literacy.

We see our Debt Advice as being a swift fix to help people out of the depths of debt, whilst our Financial Skills training gives people the skills and knowledge they need to stay afloat, make the most of their money, and become financially stable.

Our comprehensive Financial Skills training covers a wide range of topics. These include:

  • budgeting and saving money
  • online banking and digital financial tools/apps
  • learning smart ways to reduce energy expenses
  • negotiation skills to save money on bills
  • how to access benefits, if needed
  • earning money online – opportunities such as freelancing, tutoring, and content creation.

We Are Group is proud to provide local authorities, housing associations and corporate organisations with a comprehensive and fully managed Financial Skills training service for their customer base. From ideation to ensure the service suits specific customer bases, to implementation and delivery via our network of over 400 Community Partners, all the way through to reporting using our unique Social Return on Investment calculations, we are committed to providing a holistic service that ultimately enables people to live better lives.

Many people are facing tough times, with ever-increasing bills and economic uncertainty. That's why we support people in their local community, equipping them with the financial tools and knowledge they need to have life’s essentials, without falling into debt. Our Financial Skills training is designed to support those who may be struggling to heat their homes, pay their bills, or need some financial advice and the confidence to manage their money better.

Our Financial Skills is more than just training. It's a lifeline for those struggling with fuel poverty, a way to break the cycle of debt. We believe that everyone deserves to live in a warm, safe home, and we're committed to making that a reality for as many people as possible.

If you want to impact your customers’ lives for the better, get in touch with us here.

We Are Group