Warm space helps islanders battling fuel poverty

Jonathan Gallagher said people did not need to declare they needed help, "it was just there"

A charity says it is helping combat fuel poverty in Guernsey by offering a warm space for a second year in a row.

The Salvation Army said the community space at The Bridge was open to anyone struggling with household bills this winter.

It said its aim was to help address a social stigma around fuel poverty and target social isolation.

The island's energy suppliers said they were supporting vulnerable customers.

The Salvation Army said The Bridge was open to anyone household bill struggles

The latest inflation figures showed the cost of energy rose by 8.7% last quarter.

As the cost of living continues to bite, the Salvation Army said its warm space was not means-tested and if temperatures drop below 7C (44.6F) anyone who needed it would be offered some free food like toast or soup.

It said the aim was to help address a social stigma around fuel poverty and target social isolation.

Centre manager Jonathan Gallagher said the experience of running a warm space last year showed it was important to ensure ease of access.

He said: "You didn’t have to fill in forms and you didn’t have to declare you needed that help - it was just there.

"Coming out of Covid, a lot of people we spoke to felt lonely. They were struggling to get back into social interactions."

'Vicious circle'

Islanders who use the centre also said it provided a vital space.

One told the BBC they were among those battling a "vicious circle" of rising costs.

"A lot of people are struggling with loneliness, fuel bills and something to eat - it’s very hard," they said.

"People isolate themselves because they can’t afford to go out or do things - it’s a vicious circle.”

Another said there was not enough support for paying energy bills: "It’s horrendous for old age pensioners like myself."

'Tailor support'

Jo Cox, chief executive of Island Energy, said the utility was "completely aware of the cost of living crisis" and "only a small percentage" of customers were not up to date on their accounts.

She said: "We have allowed them to spread that debt over a six-month period.

"We also work with Age Concern and Salvation Army, so we give them funding so people who are struggling can go."

Steven Parks, from States-owned Guernsey Electricity, said it was working more closely with charities, and that it was "able to tailor support" for customers "really struggling".

The warm space is open every day during the week, except Thursday, until 13:00.