CHILL (Cold Homes Impacting Local Lives) in Bradford: A mixed methods exploration of children’s lived experiences and pathways through which fuel poverty impacts mental health

The UK is experiencing the worst cost of living crisis in decades. As fuel prices soar, estimates suggest that up to 7.6 million households are unable to access affordable heating and electricity, with vulnerable members of society, including children, being at the greatest risk of experiencing physical and mental ill health.

Research suggests that fuel poverty is linked with poor mental health however most studies have focussed on adults, with very little evidence about children. However, one study found that adolescents living in fuel poverty were seven times more likely to experiences symptoms associated with mental illness that those living in warmer homes.

This research aims to understand what factors cause fuel poverty to affect child mental health and what can be done to stop or reduce their impact. The findings will provide evidence for policy makers, researchers and practitioners on what interventions to use, where to target them and who would benefit from them.

This study will use Born in Bradford data to:

1. Understand if and when mental health symptoms arise for children experiencing fuel poverty and how they might change over time.

Understand what factors cause fuel poverty to affect children’s mental health.