National Energy Action

Who we are

NEA began almost 40 years ago when students at Durham University established a group of volunteers to install loft insulation in the homes of elderly local people. Their experiences led them to realise there was a huge problem with people living in cold and unhealthy homes. Subsequently, working with Newcastle City Council, this project was replicated on a wider scale by putting together different funding streams to develop community insulation projects. On 18 May 1981, Neighbourhood Energy Action was formally launched as a development programme of the National Council for Voluntary Organisations.

Since then NEA has evolved into National Energy Action, employing over 70 staff across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Our actions have brought real social change, enabling millions of people to access grants and assistance to help them live in a warm home. Our campaigning work has also ensured that fuel poverty is now firmly on the public policy agenda.

We also work closely with our sister charity Energy Action Scotland. 

Our work

Our vision is to end fuel poverty. We work across England, Wales and Northern Ireland to ensure that everyone can afford to live in a warm home.

We do this by

• Providing advice and support to people struggling to heat their homes affordably, either directly or via community engagement projects and outreach
• Campaigning and advocacy to ensure that the needs of fuel poor households are at the heart of policy decisions
• Undertaking research and sharing insights
• Developing accredited training and qualifications to improve standards of energy advice

We can’t do this alone. Our work is delivered in partnership with policy makers, manufacturers, installers, energy suppliers and networks, local authorities, housing associations, universities, and many others with an interest in understanding and supporting those in fuel poverty.