Pop-Up Fuel Bank Update

Date: 28/01/2021

In December 2019, NextEnergy Foundation (“NEF”) renewed its commitment to contribute to poverty alleviation in undeserved regions by supporting npower Foundation to respond to fuel poverty in the UK through the Pop-Up Fuel Bank.

Between December 2019 and December 2020, a total of 1,981 people benefited from a fuel voucher with NEF’s support, of whom 937 were children. npower Foundation has said that the generous donation to fund Fuel Banks for people struggling to pay for energy over the year has had a huge impact, both in terms of providing warmth during the winter months, as well as physical and mental health benefits, especially throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

The fuel vouchers were distributed to members of food banks across Birmingham, Glasgow, Grimsby and Hartlepool. In Hartlepool, NEF’s support enabled npower to establish a Fuel Bank in a region which was already experiencing high levels of socio-economic deprivation prior to the pandemic. In addition, NEF’s support in Birmingham and Glasgow helped to attract additional funding from other supporters throughout the year and was instrumental in allowing the Fuel Banks to develop independently to be able to provide longer-term support as their client bases grow.