Fuel Poverty and Warm Spaces - One Voice Wales
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Fuel Poverty and Warm Spaces

Community and Town Councils are well placed to support residents through practical, local solutions that address both urgent needs and longer-term energy resilience.

Councils can make a real diffrence in addressing fuel poverty, from creating warm spaces and connecting people to home energy support, to working with local advice services. This kind of local, compassionate response ensures residents, especially those most at risk — such as older people, families, and those in rural or hard-to-heat homes — receive the help they need with dignity.

The need is clear, rising energy costs, low household incomes, and inefficient housing mean many people are struggling to stay warm and well. Fuel poverty impacts health, wellbeing, and quality of life. This page provides guidance, funding links, and examples of what’s working across Wales to help councils take action, connect communities, and support those in need.

Resources for Councils

Signposting Support – Where to Direct Residents

What Councils Can Do

  • Set up or support Warm Hubs in accessible venues like community centres or village halls, ensuring they have heating, seating, kitchen facilities, restrooms, and are fully accessible to all, including people with disabilities.
  • Recruit and train volunteers to help run the hubs and boost community engagement, and partner with organisations such as Warm Wales to provide energy advice, crisis support, and connect residents to services.
  • Coordinate practical support initiatives like winter warm packs, coat drives, or hot meal drop-ins, and make warm spaces welcoming by organising activities such as bingo, Knit and Natter, Digi Clubs, Coffee & Cake, board games, book clubs, crafts, cooking, exercise classes, Men’s Shed, parent & toddler groups, and film clubs.
  • Use inclusive names like “Community Living Rooms” to reduce stigma and encourage participation.
  • Promote energy-saving advice, government schemes, and grants to help residents reduce costs and improve home energy efficiency.
  • Raise awareness of warm hubs and services through local media, social media, and community networks to ensure as many residents as possible benefit.

Funding Information & Potential Opportunities

There are several sources of funding available to support local responses to fuel poverty and warm spaces:

Council Legislation and Powers:

Powers to provide a warm hub vary depending on how it is run and the services offered.

The legal powers and justifications available to councils can differ based on their specific circumstances. For tailored advice and guidance, councils are encouraged to contact their One Voice Wales Development Officer.
[email protected]

Get in Touch

If your council is working to tackle fuel poverty, or would like support to get started, please get in touch.

Email: [email protected]
Join the Conversation: Cost of Living Crisis Forum – Facebook Group