As the cost of living rises and policy shifts, the winter season poses particular challenges for underserved communities, including fuel poverty, financial pressures and mental health strain. In our recent webinar, we gathered insights from fantastic organisations who are at the forefront of supporting vulnerable communities. They each shared their perspectives on the key issues facing underserved communities this winter and offered practical solutions to help ensure equitable access to support.
Ren, Founder & CEO, Lightning Reach
“69% of users are struggling with energy costs, a figure higher than those struggling with other costs.”
Ren highlighted the significant crisis being faced across the UK, with six million households in fuel poverty and energy debts increasing. Ren talked us through the following key insights from Lightning Reach’s 130,000+ users, starting with the stark fact that 69% are struggling with energy costs overall, a figure higher than those struggling with other costs.
Those aged 30 to 60 see the highest proportions struggling, many of which are families with dependents - especially single parent families (77% struggling with energy costs). Renters across social housing (78% struggling) and private (75% struggling) are hardest hit, but homeowners with mortgages also face challenges. Many have no income besides benefits, but a substantial portion of higher-income households still struggle with energy costs.
Regionally, Northern Ireland, Wales, Scotland and London see the highest proportions struggling (over 70%), with additional factors like digital exclusion, disabilities, caring duties and personal crises exacerbating the situation. In addition to these vulnerable segments needing support, groups which risk being overlooked include private renters, homeowners, households earning above the benefits thresholds and those not on prepayment metres or energy debt. Addressing these challenges is vital for supporting affected communities.
Rachelle Earwaker, Senior Economist, Joseph Rowntree Foundation
"Around 7 million low-income households are currently going without essentials and around 4.3 million households were behind with their household bills."
Rachelle ran through key data from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation’s Cost of Living Tracker, which highlights that low-income households are facing significant and persistent hardship, with essential needs going unmet and a considerable number of families accruing multiple forms of debt. These struggles are exacerbated in certain demographics, where the intersection of age, race, and housing situation amplifies the burden. For example, black households are twice as likely as white households to be behind on energy bills, and a quarter of those under age 44 report being in energy debt, compared to only 3% of those aged 65 or older.
Rachelle commented that the data suggests that existing government policies and the recent budget measures fall short of addressing the widespread need for financial relief and targeted support. A collective effort, backed by more comprehensive and responsive government actions, is essential to ensure that vulnerable households can make it through the winter without risking their well-being.
Jobe Bryer, Energy Advice Manager, SHINE at Islington Council
“If you only do the crisis aversion, then people will go out of crisis, straight back into crisis”
Jobe explained that many services, though originally designed to provide energy advice, now do anything that will maximise income or maximise health and well-being, layering in other types of support to tackle complex needs. Services like Lightning Reach allow users to engage in support around their own schedules, which has been especially beneficial for single parents and working households.
Reaching isolated and underserved groups remains challenging, especially those who lack trust in institutions or aren't connected with community organisations. The SHINE team has implemented data-driven approaches to identify low-income households or poorly insulated homes for targeted outreach, seeing much higher engagement as an outcome. The conversation touched on the moving story of SHINE recipient and Lightning Reach user, Vivian.
Jobe commented that addressing long-term financial stability is essential, as those facing crises tend to cycle in and out without sustained support. By focusing on essential needs first and gradually providing resources like debt relief and benefits guidance, organisations can offer a multi-layered approach to help people avoid returning to crisis.
Jo Hardy, Head of Services, Gingerbread
“A lot of single parents feel like heating is a luxury, so it’s the first one to go.”
Jo emphasised the financial struggles many single parents face, particularly with energy debt, as most are working yet rely on Universal Credit. Statistics show that children in single-parent households are twice as likely to live in poverty, with fuel poverty being a major concern.
Jo shared insights from the advice service team, noting that many single parents work in insecure, part-time jobs while dealing with inadequate childcare and insufficient child maintenance. She pointed out that a lot of single parents feel like heating is a luxury, leading some families to forgo it altogether, especially those with young children. Jo shared the powerful story of Sonia as an example of these issues.
To address these issues, Gingerbread calls for reforms in the benefits system, citing the inadequacy of current provisions and the negative impacts of policies like the two-child limit.
Coming together this winter to support vulnerable communities
A huge thank you to our speakers, it was invaluable to hear from our speakers and gain a deeper understanding of the challenges facing vulnerable groups who are often slipping through the support net. Their insights highlighted the urgency of finding effective, collaborative solutions to ensure that everyone has access to the help they need.
Our Winter Warmth Network will be hosting more events to continue these important conversations, bringing together support organisations to collaborate on ensuring everyone gets access to the help they need. We look forward to furthering this work, finding new solutions, and ultimately helping more people navigate this challenging season.
How to get involved
We are always looking for ways to collaborate and bring meaningful impact to those who need it. If you are interested in working with Lightning Reach, check out the options below:
Get involved in the Winter Warmth Network: www.lightningreach.org/winter
Check out our latest news and events: www.lightningreach.org/updates
Talk to our team about partnering with us: www.lightningreach.org/partners
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