News

We're really excited to have received funding from Northern Gas Networks to engage with young people on energy.

We will target 16-25 year olds who have responsibility for paying gas and electricity bills in their home. It will educate these young people around energy use and ways to reduce their costs, whilst also looking to inspire and motivate them to get involved in awareness-raising campaigns themselves.

Why are we doing this?

There are several reasons why this project is really important to us:

• When young people start living independently, no teaching or education is given around how to use energy efficiently in the home
• Young people are rarely prioritised in fuel poverty initiatives yet government statistics show  that 1 in 4 households where the oldest person is under 25 have higher levels of fuel poverty than any other age group.
• Young people are more likely to be living in privately rented accommodation with poorer  energy efficiency standards. 
• Covid-19 is causing particular financial hardship for the under 25s who have seen the highest  level of unemployment of all age groups
• Under 25s have suffered more with their mental health than any other age group throughout  the pandemic

What can we offer?

•  Training to help staff feel more confident to support young people on energy 
•  Online and face to face group sessions for young people
•  Online and face to face 1:1 support for young people
•  Raising energy awareness at events and through courses
•  A ‘toolkit’ to help young people manage their bills and become more energy confident
•  The opportunity for young people to become ambassadors to share their energy knowledge   and experience

Who is this for?

The project is for any young person under 25 but we are particularly keen to reach young care leavers, young adult carers, young people with a disability, young parents or young people not in education, employment or training. At the current time the project is focused on North Yorkshire (including York).

How to access this support?

If you support young people in North Yorkshire then please get in touch to find out more. You can contact Katy by email: youngpeople@yorkshireenergydoctor.org.uk or call 07305 330732

You can also make a referral for 1:1 support through our online referral form here