John Hughes, Director of Partnerships and Communities at Community Integrated Care examines how soaring energy costs are impacting people in social care — and how Taking Charge helps cut costs without compromising care.
Energy costs are continuing to skyrocket, and for people who work in or draw on social care, the impact can be devastating. Many people who draw on support rely on assistive technologies, need warmer environments for health, or live in homes that run around the clock. These essentials mean bills are far higher than average, placing them and their loved ones under immense pressure. Social care workers are feeling the squeeze too, working hard to provide for themselves and their families. Without practical help, the choice between comfort and affordability becomes painfully real. That’s why it’s crucial people have accessible resources that make easy changes possible — saving money without sacrificing wellbeing. This is exactly what Community Integrated Care’s free TakingChargeEnergy.co.uk platform delivers.
What Taking Charge Offers
Taking Charge is a one‑stop hub offering free toolkits, easy‑read guides and a unique 15‑minute training experience that blends expert energy‑saving advice with social care insight. This guidance enables people to cut their energy consumption by up to one third — saving, in some cases, more than £800. The training focuses on empowering people to make simple, practical changes that reduce energy wastage without reducing quality of life. Every insight has been co‑produced, exploring the realities of busy social care roles and the barriers faced by disabled people, ensuring the guidance is both practical and impactful.
Making an Impact
More than 1,500 social care colleagues across the nation have already accessed this free support, with an incredible 100% of participants reporting new energy‑saving skills. The programme has been recognised as a leading innovation at the Great British Care Awards. Participants consistently praise the training: one social care leader said, “the people we support loved getting involved. Our team left with practical skills to save energy at home and work every day.” Another colleague shared, “This is amazing, it’s empowering me to save money at home and to help the people I support.” Community Integrated Care is committed to reaching many more people, and with support from organisations including the National Care Forum, Learning Disability England, The Care Workers’ Charity and ARC, the programme is expanding its reach this winter.
Responding to Real‑Life Challenges
Taking Charge is driven by real cases of people who have faced unfair challenges due to rising energy costs. We’ve seen first‑hand the harsh reality for people who rely on essential assistive devices — electric wheelchairs, hoists and other equipment that make dignity, freedom and independence possible. These aren’t luxuries; they’re lifelines. Yet the soaring cost of powering them is forcing individuals into impossible choices. People who have built happy, fulfilling lives in their own homes now face the devastating prospect of losing that independence simply because they can’t afford the energy required to sustain it. It’s an unjust and deeply troubling scenario. These stories underpin the urgency of our campaign: rising energy costs are disproportionately affecting people in social care, many of whom lack the resources to navigate complex energy systems or switch providers.
