Nicola's Story: How Baggator are supporting Bristolians facing fuel poverty

Nicola's Story: How Baggator are supporting Bristolians facing fuel poverty

Posted on: 20 Apr 2021

Anya Agulova explores the Easton-based charity's efforts to support people in need during the COVID-19 crisis.

 

Back in January, a collective of community organisations in Bristol launched a crowdfunding campaign to raise money in support of people struggling to pay their fuel bills as a result of the coronavirus crisis. A total of £3609.75 was raised and split equally between five community centres, and Baggator, a charity dedicated to giving local people a voice, were nominated to distribute funds across East and Central Bristol.

 

Unlike government means-tested programmes, the crowdfunder was set up to keep things simple: allocate money quickly and directly to wherever it was most needed. Since the turn of the year, and as a result of the tireless work of the Baggator team and the generosity of the local community, the fuel poverty scheme has directly helped 31 families in and around Easton. All told, the project has provided for an estimated total of over 150 households across the city.

 

Stuart Phelps, a core member of the charity, says he is "really grateful" to those who donated to the campaign, and added that the team are already looking ahead to their next project, looking into the most effective ways to support those who have been most impacted by the pandemic.

 

 

Nicola Gill, a Stapleton Road resident who was furloughed during the first lockdown, was one of those fortunate enough to receive funding support as a result of Baggator's crowdfunder. The charity Nicola works for, young people's support organisation Re:work, has been struggling for funding in recent years, and was forced to close its shop last year after suffering fire damage.

 

Like many others who were used to spending most of the working day away from home pre-lockdown, Nicola was finding it hard to stay warm and power her home on reduced pay. "I’ve really struggled with heating this year; I have a damp flat where the windows need resealing," she explains. "I have only been heating one room to save money and stay under the quilt when I can.

 

"I have a pre-payment meter and have, at times, ended up overdrawn. I’ve had to ask for help and it makes me quite angry that this has to happen as I should be able to pay for my own bills. You suddenly realise in an extraordinary situation such as this how little you have."

Nicola sewing face masks in Easton.

Nicola was nominated for support by her boss at Re:work, who along with the rest of her colleagues, have been invaluable as a consistent source of contact while lockdown restrictions have been in place. One of millions of people across the UK itching to get back to work, Nicola says she "never realised how important my work and my colleagues are to my mental health and general wellbeing."

 

She's managed to keep herself busy, like many of us, picking up and developing new hobbies, in this case using her sewing skills to make thousands of face masks to donate to people in the community. Given the uncertain nature of Nicola's employment - the impact of the past year coupled with their own lack of funding - she's still unsure whether or not she'll be able to return this Spring. 

 

What we know, however, is that through Baggator's efforts to co-ordinate their fuel poverty campaign and distribute funds, as well as the kindness of the local people who donated, Nicola and many others in East and Central Bristol were able to access some vital support during such a difficult time.

 

For more information on Baggator Bristol, to find out how you can get involved with the charity or to follow news and updates, head to their website or find them on Twitter.

 

This article and the photos within it were provided to 365Bristol by photographer Anya Agulova. Find Anya on Instagram.

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Article by:

Matt Robson

 

Editor - 365Bristol.com & LOUD Magazine
 

Matt is a Journalism graduate and writer, passionate about supporting Bristol music, art and independent business. Get in touch via email at matt@365bristol.com.