Wednesday, 23 January 2013

Fuel poverty: a call to action for London's churches



Fuel poverty: a call to action for London's churches

Posted: Wednesday, January 23, 2013 6:50 pm

As part of the Stop Climate Chaos coalition, Christian Ecology Link has joined the 'Energy We Can All Afford' campaign, which aims to enshrine residential domestic energy efficiency into the UK Government’s Energy Bill – for warmer homes, lower bills, a cooler planet – and growth for the green economy.
Today, 23 January 2013, marks the launch of the SHINE seasonal health referrals scheme in the London Boroughs of Islington and Hackney, and London’s Churches have been called to action.
The Seasonal Health Intervention Network (SHINE) aims to deliver a package of 20 services for vulnerable households suffering from the poor winter weather, including help to improve home warmth, arrange health checks, and organising benefits checks to make sure all those who need them receive winter fuel payments. It provides a single point of referral to assist service providers in providing a comprehensive service to clients and patients.
Churches that generate referrals to this programme receive a small payment, which will help them fund their own initiatives to help those on the edge of society. Through schemes like SHINE local churches can help increase affordable home comfort, and reduce fuel poverty and deaths due to cold.
Christian Ecology Link supports this scheme, and those in neighbouring London Boroughs, such as HEET, providing home draughtproofing and insulation in Waltham Forest.
Green Christians all over the country are urged to contact their Local Authority to find out about local energy efficiency provision, and to research what new Green Deal and ECO measures may be available to assist the financing of home energy renovations.
SHINE say: "Since December 2010 SHINE has helped over 3,000 vulnerable households but we need the help of smaller voluntary and faith sector organisations to reach many more. With assistance from National Energy Action we are launching a trial referral incentives programme and we’d like you to take part. Each valid referral received will result in a payment to your organisation of £2.50. Please sign up."
James chapter 2 verses 14 to 17 (NIV) says: "What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, 'Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,' but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead."

USEFUL LINKS
The Energy We Can All Afford campaign: http://www.energywecanallafford.org/
Stop Climate Chaos has a new 2013 website here: http://www.stopclimatechaos.org/
Christian Ecology Link: http://www.greenchristian.org.uk/
SHINE http://www.islington.gov.uk/services/parks-environment/sustainability/sus_awarmth/Pages/shine.aspx


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Our vision is of a society where no one should experience discrimination on the grounds of their mental health.

Mental health problems are extremely common across society, with one in four of us experiencing them in any year. Despite being so common, people from all communities will still experience discriminatory attitudes and behaviours that can prevent people from speaking out, seeking support and playing full and active roles in our communities. The impact of mental health stigma and discrimination will vary between communities as mental health has a cultural context that affects the way communities talk about the subject and engage with people who have mental health problems. In some cultures depression, for example, doesn't exist and in others an experience of a mental health problem can be attached to a sense of shame.

For the African and Caribbean communities a key issue is the overrepresentation of young African and Caribbean men in mental health services. Misconceptions and stereotypes have led to a perception that this group is more likely to pose a risk of violent behaviour and, as a result, they are more likely to be treated as inpatients and sectioned when compared to other groups. It is well documented that this has led to a fear of talking about mental health issues more openly and a fear of using mental health services. Research by the Race Equality Foundation (2011) also highlighted fears that discrimination against Black & Minority Ethnic (BME) communities and migrant service users will increase in the austerity climate and whilst commissioning arrangements change.

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