heating your home means more than keeping you warm – what does it mean to you? 

As mornings grow darker and nights colder, a tweak of the thermostat seems to become closer in reach. 

But unfortunately for many, a warm home is seen as a luxury that can’t be afforded – in fact, 11% (2.73 million) of the UK households is in fuel poverty, meaning they can’t afford to keep their homes warm through the colder months. 

When you think about heating your home, you might picture numbers – the thermostat setting, the meter reading, the bill that lands on the doormat – the one you might be afraid to open. 

But for those struggling, warmth isn’t just about comfort, it’s about relief. It’s knowing you can focus on the things that really matter – your health, your family, your wellbeing – without the constant worry of how to pay for it. 

The unexpected illnesses, the stresses of work or money, a recent bereavement, the responsibilities of caring for a loved one – whatever's going on, a warm home can make those things feel just a little lighter. 

That peace of mind is what caba’s energy grant aims to restore. Because sometimes, the most meaningful kind of warmth isn’t just the heat that fills a room – it’s the support that helps make it possible. 

Find out more about caba's energy grant. 

warmth as comfort and dignity 

After losing his wife, caba client Arthur’s world became smaller. His health declined, his mobility worsened, and his once-cosy home started to feel like a burden. The double glazing had failed, letting in drafts he couldn’t keep out. Each winter, he faced the same dilemma – turn the heating up and watch the bills climb, or sit wrapped in layers, trying to stay still. The issues weren’t just in the home, but in his mind, where the stress of financial difficulty and the grief from the loss of his wife took a toll. 

He admits now that he was reluctant to reach out. 

“I was ashamed that I wasn’t able to manage,” he says.  

It’s only when Arthur contacted caba that things began to change. Through speaking to a support officer who truly listened to him, the burden he was carrying was now halved. They helped arrange for new windows, home repairs, and a contribution toward his heating costs through the energy grant. 

With his home warm and secure, Arthur could move around more easily, look out at his garden again, and invite friends over without embarrassment. Something seemingly so small gave Arthur his life back. 

Read Arthur’s full story 

warmth as care and stability 

For another caba client, Nancy, warmth meant she could care for the person she loved. She’d spent years supporting her husband through illness while managing her own health challenges. Between the stress of her own health challenges, the worry over husbands, and the exhaustion of trying to keep everything together, there wasn’t much room in Nancy’s mind to worry about anything else – queue the increase in energy prices. 

She wanted to keep their home comfortable and safe, but the bills felt impossible. When Nancy reached out to caba, she wasn’t sure what to expect, but she was quickly reassured. caba helped her cover energy costs, arranged mobility equipment, and provided support for a carer to help her husband. 

For Nancy and her husband, the energy grant and other support helped them regain their independence, and gave them reassurance that there was always someone there to chat things through when things got tough. 

For Nancy, and many others like her, caba’s energy grant gave her something more than just warmth – peace of mind. 

Read Nancy’s full story 

warmth as security 

Arthur and Nancy’s stories are just a few in the many that show that a warm home isn’t a luxury, but a necessity that makes life feel lighter and less overwhelming. 

When temperatures drop, our mood and energy levels go right down with it, but caba’s energy grant exists to help people feel safe, secure, and like they can focus on the things in life that truly matter. 

If the cold has started to creep in, whether that’s into your home or into your peace of mind, it’s not something you have to – or should – face alone. caba’s grants are here to being the warmth back, in every sense.