Warm and Safe Homes in Fishwick
In 2013, it was reported that around 360 households in Fishwick had external wall insulation put on their homes. This was part of a national energy efficiency scheme that should have made homes easier and cheaper to keep warm, but for many households the choice of measures and quality of work was poor and properties developed severe damp and mould.
Although over 60 properties had work done in 2018 to put problems right, many others have had to live with the consequences. A scheme that should have helped people has left some of them worse off. We do not think that is right. We know that, done well, insulation makes homes warmer, healthier, and more affordable and we have funding available to put right failed insulation in some of the affected households in Fishwick.
We have been working with the people in Fishwick to design a project that avoids the mistakes of the past since 2020. We have seen first-hand the misery and health problems poor quality installations can have, and it should not fall to a charity like us to address the failings of government schemes and commercial firms. We are now in the process of closing this project due to lack of funding, but there are still a lot of homes, and people needing the failed insulation to be removed and their homes repaired.
Project principles
- We help those in the greatest need first
- We work with households to identify the right solutions for them
- We’re honest and open about what we can do and what we cannot do
- We insist on exemplary work carried out to the highest standards
- We share the lessons learned to benefit projects in other communities
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Project update
Since our involvement in the Fishwick community began in 2020, National Energy Action (NEA) has been working closely with residents to design a project that avoids the mistakes of the past. We’ve engaged with householders affected by failed insulation to rebuild trust and restore hope.
We were not involved in the original installations, but we do want to help householders who have been left in this situation through no fault of their own. Our fundraising has only enabled us to work on a small number of properties in Fishwick so far and we are trying to raise further funding. Phases 1 and 2 of the project, conducted between 2022 and 2024, are now complete. During this time, we repaired 45 homes, significantly improving the quality of life for their occupants.
If you want to read more about the results of our project evaluation and the project’s outcomes please follow the link below:
How to get in touch
Our Resident and Community Liaison Officer, Taz Ali, can provide advice and support with energy bills, making claims for benefits, fuel debt or energy efficiency advice.
Email: fishwick@nea.org.uk
Tel: 07541 100431
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Media enquiries
Email: Nina Dunlavy, Senior Communications Officer at NEA nina.dunlavy@nea.org.uk
Telephone: 07720 593541