Advent Calendar Day 12: Lindsey’s story
When Lindsey* began to find it difficult to afford her escalating monthly energy direct debit payments, she started to severely limit her use of heating, often spending long periods in bed to try and stay warm.
Already suffering with multiple health conditions, including asthma, hypertension, anxiety and depression, Lindsey recognised there was a correlation between being cold and her mental health: ‘I do notice days where I’m physically cold, I feel much more depressed. On days where I’m terrified of the cost of putting the heating on, I tend to lay on my sofa, curl up, pull the sides of my jumper up over my chin to stay as warm as possible. It’s quite lonely and I think that’s no good for my mental health.’
Lindsey was so worried about the cost-of-living and energy cost rises that she would sometimes even ration food.
When Lindsey got in touch with National Energy Action, our adviser provided immediate support with energy vouchers, food shopping vouchers and a Winter Warmth Support Pack to help her stay warmer at home.
About the pack, Lindsey said: ‘It was wonderful, all sorts of things in there that were really useful for people struggling with energy, with heating and keeping warm. Like a thermos flask which is useful for me because I can’t carry hot liquids whenever I want because if I’m having vertigo, I can’t safely carry anything hot.’
As our adviser became more familiar with Lindsey’s circumstances, they learned that even during the coldest times, Lindsey was only putting her heating on at most for a couple of hours. The temperature in her home was regularly sitting around 9 degrees, and even with the heating on was barely reaching 19 degrees. This meant Lindsey was often living in a home where the temperature was well below the level needed to stay safe and well.
Our adviser organised and supported Lindsey through a three-way call with her supplier to discuss her account and energy use. We were able to advise her that she could reduce her direct debit as she was in credit and encourage her to put her heating on for a little longer each day to help keep her warm and her home safe. Our adviser quickly identified that there was severe anxiety for Lindsay around fuel use and payments and that reassurance was crucial.
Lindsay told us: ‘My adviser was brilliant, he was so compassionate…just having that contact from somebody who knew the subject, asked me things that were so relevant that hadn’t even crossed my mind. So, from that point of view just knowing that help was there did alleviate some of my anxiety side of things.’
The help we provide is only possible because of the incredible support we receive. Your generosity can change lives and mean more people like Lindsey can feel warm, safe and secure in their home this winter and beyond.
Support Operation Warmth and help spread warmth and hope this Christmas.
DONATE