Energy crisis: Vulnerable young people to be hardest hit

CEO of Backup North West, Maura Jackson, says that young homeless people have "always been" in an energy crisis, with around £4 and £8 left each week once bills are paid.

She says that this then leaves the young people without enough to eat and heat their homes, especially now with the hike in energy prices.

The charity has continued to find creative ways to ease the pressure for over 25 years, for the client group, and they receive regular donations from businesses such as Carrs Pasties, Nandos, Tesco, Morrisons, and Greggs.

But now is particularly challenging for the charity and their clients.

Maura added: “We do all we can to ensure that our young people do not have to use food banks locally as they are under pressure themselves.

“Sadly, in the last 10 years we have moved away from providing multiple Christmas gifts to each young person and reducing that to just one, and instead topping up electricity meters and providing a food hamper worth £30 to each person so they can heat and eat over the festive period.

So many people have been really struggling. Credit: PA

“We have always applied for winter warmer grants for clients so that they receive any assistance to keep their meters running.

“They are additionally penalised with high tariffs as the meters are pay as you go because its temporary housing, so energy accounts are not in their names.

“It is a constant battle.

“This new crisis has already seen weekly amounts used on the meters by young people going from £10 a week to between £30 and £35 which they simply do not have.

“Backup cannot afford to subsidise that amount either as we have over 100 residents.

“So, something will have to give.”

Maura says the worst-case scenario could mean that clients’ meters run out and that they live in the charity’s services without heating, lighting, or hot water.

But Maura said that the charity will continue to look for additional provisions such as a supper club or a breakfast club on their staffed sites.

This would then mean that every day young people would be able to access a hot meal, laundry, and showers in the communal areas of the projects, and save the little energy they have in their self-contained accommodation.

Maura added: “We already make as much as we can free, laundry, haircuts, and sanitary products (via Fresh as a Daisy).

Maura has voiced concerns as we head into the winter months (Image: N/A)

“They might keep the meters running and then have literally no money for food, clothing, transport, phones or other essentials.

“A young person once told me the most horrible thing about being homeless for him was not having enough money to buy his Mum a birthday card.

“He was really sad that he had upset her.

“We now make those available for people if they need them.

“It’s the small things that people really value.”

Maura’s main concern is when it is time for clients to move on into their own accommodation after their support ends, that young people will move to a flat where they are responsible for everything, and all the things the charity subsidised will stop.

Maura added: “We regularly debate whether what we do now sets a false expectation, but the alternative would mean that whilst in our ‘care’ they would be sacrificing meals or electric, and that’s morally and ethically barbaric.  

“So, we make life as manageable as we can now and try and prepare them for the future.

“Backup are currently considering ways in which we can make sure colleagues are supported too as the experts tell us that this crisis will impact those with two incomes negatively.

“Everyone will feel this.

“Young people who are homeless through no fault of their own, living in temporary housing will become the poorest of the poor and without Backup they are invisible.

“This isn’t just about money, it’s about resilience and the ability to hold your nerve which young people haven’t developed yet.

Backup North West team

“That’s where the risk lies for me.

“Young people with no food and no electric right now, and no ability to reassure themselves they can get help will make decisions that create risk.”

Maura fears that the energy crisis will push homeless clients and younger people to start using shared housing as a cheaper alternative to self-contained flats or bedsits, which she says would also increase the risk.

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If you have a story and something you would like to highlight in the community, please email me at jasmine.jackson@newsquest.co.uk or DM me on Twitter @JournoJasmine.