Trust achieves ‘Barnsley Affordable Warmth Charter Mark’
The Trust has successfully achieved Barnsley’s ‘Affordable Warmth Charter Mark’. Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council operate the charter which brings partner organisations across the region together to share knowledge, expertise, and resources on tackling the health inequalities caused by fuel poverty.
By signing up to the charter, the Trust and other organisations pledge to work together to alleviate fuel poverty and improve affordable warmth for households in the Barnsley borough. Securing an Affordable Warmth Charter Mark demonstrates the Trust’s commitment in achieving the vision and objectives of the charter.
The Trust recently launched our social responsibility and sustainability strategy, which aims to use the levers we have to maximise the benefits the Trust delivers to local people, communities, and places, especially those facing challenge and disadvantage. Being a part of the Barnsley Affordable Warmth Charter Mark underpins our commitment to supporting the local people and communities in which we provide our services.
Tony Wright, sustainability change manager, commented: “The sad fact of today’s society is that many of the service users visited by our staff are faced with increasing challenges on a daily basis, with some of them literally having to choose between heating and eating. The Barnsley Affordable Warmth Charter and the work it involves enables our staff to signpost our service users, families, and carers towards the support they need. This in turn allows our staff to continue in their roles, safe in the knowledge that the people they care for will receive the required level of support and expert advice.”
Sue Wing, deputy director of operations, added: “Many households in Barnsley and across other areas are facing challenges in heating their home, particularly over the winter months. With rising energy prices, more households are living in homes that have poor energy efficiency levels, which can be hard to be kept warm at a reasonable cost. For some people, the result is living in a cold home, which can have a significant impact physically and mentally. By signing up to the Charter Mark, we are committing to supporting the health and wellbeing of our local communities and reducing the impact of fuel poverty.”
