Energy Poverty as a Social Determinant of Health – How Can Victoria Do Better?

What if health professionals were able to prescribe energy?  

This is the next Big Idea we’ll be exploring in our ‘Tackling the Energy/Health Hardship Nexus’ webinar series. 

Please join us for a free interactive webinar/Q&A on Energy Poverty as a Social Determinant of Health – How Can Victoria Do Better? 

You’ll hear from: 

Dr Danielle Butler from National Energy Action UK, who will share how the UK is creating new systemic linkages between the heath, housing and energy sectors, to identify and prescribe people into energy assistance through their Warm Homes Healthy Futures program. We’ll create the space to explore: What can we learn from this initiative? 

Damian Sullivan from the Brotherhood of St Laurence, who will talk about their local Victorian retrofitting initiative, Climate Safe Homes, that enables people with a chronic health condition or a disability to live in homes that are warm in winter and cool in summer. We’ll create the space to explore: How can this be scaled up to support more?   

We’ll also discuss how Victoria – and other Australian jurisdictions – can invest in “the glue” to support enduring integration between the health and energy systems for seamless, more connected, high-quality supports. 

Introducing our speakers

Dr. Danielle Butler, Project Development Manager at National Energy Action UK 

In the UK, 6 million households are living in fuel poverty, unable to keep their homes warm, and 50% are also coping with multiple cold-related health conditions.  

The UK National Energy Action is a national fuel poverty charity that works to ensure everyone in England, Wales and Northern Ireland is warm and safe at home. 

Today we are joined by Danielle who is a Doctor of Philosophy in social policy.  Her PhD looked at developing effective communication and engagement strategies with those living in or at risk of fuel poverty.  

Her most recent project, Warm Homes and Healthy Futures recognises that cold homes have disastrous consequences for long-term health. The project is working with key partners in health and housing, alongside established and trusted local delivery agencies to reach people with health conditions living in fuel poverty to deliver support ‘on prescription’.  

Danielle is also a trustee for the Fuel Poverty Research Network and The Essential services Action Network. 

Damian Sullivan, Senior Manager, Equity in response to Climate Change at Brotherhood of St Laurence   

Damian has worked at Brotherhood of St Laurance for over seventeen years with a focus on  addressing equity in response to climate change. He has a Master of Public Policy from the University of Melbourne.  

His research, policy and advocacy work looks at the intersection of social equity and environmental sustainability, particularly the relationship between energy affordability, energy efficiency and climate change. His recent research “Electrification and lower-income households in Australia” provides an integrated analysis of adaptive capacity and hardship.  

This webinar is organised by the Victorian Council of Social Service (VCOSS) as part of a project funded by Energy Consumers Australia Limited as part of its grants process for consumer advocacy projects and research projects for the benefit of consumers of electricity and gas. The views expressed in this document do not necessarily reflect the views of Energy Consumers Australia. 

Auslan  

Due to high demand, Victoria is experience a shortage of Auslan interpreters. VCOSS strives to ensure our events are inclusive to everyone and will do our best to secure Auslan interpreters. To help us do this, if you require Auslan for this event, please RSVP as soon as possible so that we can work with Expression Australia to secure interpreters. 



About the Victorian Council of Social Service
VCOSS is the peak representative body for Victoria’s social and community sector, and the state’s leading social advocacy organisation. We work towards creating a Victoria that is fair, just and inclusive. A society where nobody is trapped by poverty, and everybody is supported to live a life of wellbeing.

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