Health Column: Staying warm, staying well - tackling fuel poverty together
As winter approaches and energy bills rise, many people may find themselves struggling to heat their homes.
Living in a cold home can worsen breathing problems, impact your health and affect mental wellbeing. Children may miss school or struggle to concentrate, while older adults face greater risk of falls and frailty.
Fuel poverty means spending a large part of your income just to stay warm. In Wigan Borough, more than one in ten households are affected in this way with elder people living alone, private renters, and those with long-term health conditions or disabilities being hit the hardest.
Residents in Wigan Borough who are struggling to keep their homes warm or manage rising energy costs can access support through Wigan Council and its local partners. Help is available to ensure that no one has to face cold conditions alone, with support designed to ease the burden and improve health and wellbeing during colder months. The Household Support Fund, available until March 2026, provides help with food, energy bills, and essentials and it's open to anyone in need, not just those on benefits. Extra support is available for pensioners, care leavers, and families with disabilities.
Further local support also includes:
- Here for You: Offers emotional wellbeing support, practical help, and advice for residents facing challenges.
- AWARM: Free heating upgrades, insulation, and benefit checks to make homes warmer and reduce bills.
- Green Doctor (Groundwork): Help with damp and mould, energy debt, and advice to stay healthy in cold homes.
- Citizens Advice Wigan Borough: Fuel vouchers, winter payments, and energy bill support.
- The Brick: Emergency beds, food, and outreach support across Wigan and Leigh.
Here are some simple tips to help you stay warm this winter:
- Block draughts, use thermal curtains, and add rugs
- Open windows briefly to allow air in and to manage damp
- Wear layers, use heated blankets, and drink warm fluids
- Visit warm spaces like libraries or community centres
- Cook with microwaves, air fryers, or slow cookers
- Save energy by unplugging devices, switch to LED bulbs, and wash clothing at lower temperatures
- Understand your pay-as-you-go meter by pressing # for credit, 1 for time left, 2 for usage history, 6 for current use, and take weekly photos to track your energy usage
No one in our borough should have to choose between heating and eating. Let’s work together to make sure every home is a healthy home.
For more information on fuel poverty and support available locally visit: https://www.wigan.gov.uk/Resident/Housing/Warm-homes/AWARM-Plus-Eligibility.aspx