Plymouth Energy Community
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  • Cold Realities Community-Led Photographic Exhibition

Cold Realities Community-Led Photographic Exhibition

We joined Plymouth residents and fellow social enterprise, Fotonow to reveal what it really means to be fuel poor.

It is easy to ignore statistics.

When we read about fuel poverty and 'thermally inefficient dwellings' we risk losing sight of the people living in those cold, damp homes and the terrible impact it has on their physical and mental wellbeing.

Photos on display at the 'Cold Realities' exhibition.
PEC 15 11 17 45 Fotonow

What We Did

  • We commissioned a graduate photographer, Edyta Linnane, from Fotonow to go out with the Energy Team on home visits and get to know the residents we work alongside.
  • Over a few weeks, we asked residents to talk to us and show us what it means to them to be in fuel poverty.
  • The resulting images tell the story of 4 households living in fuel poverty.
  • We launched the exhibition at our 2017 Taking the Power Back event.
  • Images are displayed on 8 foot banners

The Impact

The impact of these images and their ability to raise awareness has been significant. We are focusing policy-makers' attention on the personal cost of fuel poverty. It’s miserable, it’s cold, it’s life affecting. It’s poverty of hope. It’s making impossible choices like heating or eating. It’s unjust and it’s unnecessary. We need fuel poverty strategies that:

  • Put people first
  • Trust in community organisations
  • Seek simplicity.

Since unveiling the exhibition, the images have been shown at:

  • National Energy Action's House of Commons reception for Members of UK Parliament
  • Scottish Parliament for talks on fuel poverty
  • Plymouth City Council's full council meeting
  • Inside Government's 'Tackling & Alleviating Fuel Poverty' conference
  • National Energy Action's 2018 annual conference on fuel poverty - to a collection of over 300 energy suppliers, policy-makers and charity workers
  • European conferences hosted by partner organisations
  • Over 20 events and conferences

Cold Realities

  • An armchair displayed at the 'Cold Realities' exhibition.
  • An assisted walker displayed at the 'Cold Realities' exhibition.
  • Example of a black mould ceiling.
  • Photos on display at the 'Cold Realities' exhibition.
  • Pair of sandals displayed at the 'Cold Realities' exhibition.
  • Example of damp on the walls of a kitchen.
  • Family standing on a bare staircase, displayed at the 'Cold Realities' exhibition.
  • Woman sitting with her hands on her knees, appearing distressed, displayed at the 'Cold Realities' exhibition.
  • Silhouette of a hand on a condensation-covered window displayed at the 'Cold Realities' exhibition.
  • Photos on display at the 'Cold Realities' exhibition.
  • Looking at bills
  • Mould
  • Mouldy corner
  • Parliament November 2018 Clare
  • PEC 15 11 17 45 Fotonow
  • PEC 17
  • PEC 18
  • PEC 24
  • PEC 50
  • PEC 58
  • Playing on the floor
  • Portrait
  • Pots and pans
  • Sitting on the floor