What is it?

Some households are choosing between heating and eating. This is not right, we want all of Bristol to be warm this winter. Through the generosity of people in the city and beyond, the Bristol Emergency Winter Fuel Fund will help people with their energy bills over the colder months between 2023 and 2024.

Hosted by Lockleaze Neighbourhood, with support from Bristol Energy Network we will work with community organisations across the city using local connections and knowledge to make sure those most vulnerable in our city are supported this winter. This JustGiving page went live in Dec and is due to close on Apr 1st 2024.

Why is it needed?

For a variety of reasons, energy bills have gone up by around 80% since April 2022. Although electricity and gas prices have fallen as of October 23, their prices are still high in comparison to recent years. The price of gas in October 2023 was around 60% higher than it was in October 2021 while the price of electricity in October 2023 was around 40% higher than it was in October 2021. Food prices have also been increasing, food inflation saw a recent high of 19.2% in March 2023, the highest annual rate seen for over 45 years. This is why this winter many low income households will be choosing between food and heat.

Who's involved?

Four community partners, known as community anchor organisations (because they're rooted in their communities and know their communities the best) are distributing the Bristol Emergency Winter Fuel Fund. Households are referred to them for fuel payment in a similar way to how individuals are referred to the food bank. The community partners are: Ambition Lawrence Weston, Eastside Community Trust, Lockleaze Neighbourhood Trust, and Heart of BS13. Lockleaze Neighbourhood Trust is the lead organisation that will collect funds (Including gift aid) on behalf of the others and then grant funds to each community organisations to distribute to their local community.

For more information on the referral process see Bristol Energy Network's website.

Are any of you taking a cut from donations?

No. The charities listed above are using their own funds to cover the cost of running and distributing the Bristol Emergency Winter Fuel Fund, which means we don't have to take a single penny from donations themselves. It means they can all go towards helping our neighbours who need it the most.