Professor Green and British Gas have launched a campaign to provide support to people during the energy crisis after a study showed four in ten households will struggle to pay their next bill.
Research from YouGov showed 40 percent of adults will suffer to pay their next energy bill, yet more than a third are suffering in silence.
These internal struggles are creating an emotional impact on those suffering with bills, with results showing 65 percent are experiencing increased anxiety, 18 percent experiencing insomnia and lower self-esteem, and 16 percent feeling a negative impact on their relationships.
Results also revealed women are experiencing higher stress levels than men.
The campaign, called Stop the Silence, aims to highlight that households living in fuel poverty in the UK could reduce their bills by reaching out to British Gas Energy Trust.
Manyâ¯people have already found their way out of energy debt by speaking to one its dedicated advisors, but only 39% of those suffering know of the financial support services available.
British Gas Energy Trust chief executive Jessica Taplin said: “The Trust’s mission is to help alleviate the detrimental impact of poverty – for many of our programmes you don’t need to be a British Gas customer to access support.
“83 percentâ¯of grant funding from British Gas Energy Trust supports vulnerable customers from other providers.
“Therefore, we would encourage everyone to seek help during this incredibly difficult time, whether it’s from us or from your own provider.”
British Gas has released a short film to raise awareness to the support available.
The video, filmed by award winning director, Geej Ower, features a dad struggling with bills without anyone to confide in.
Professor Green shares his own experiences of growing up in Hackney with his grandmother having to regularly make the choice between paying bills and eating a hot meal.
He said: “Reading the Stop the Silence film script was an emotional experience.
“As many people know, my parents weren’t around growing up and my grandmother raised me on an estate in Hackney.
“Money was tight, and there was always stress aboutâ¯paying our energy bill.
“Advice and services, like those provided by British Gas Energy Trust, just weren’t available to us and those around me.
“I urge families and individuals suffering in silence to reach out to British Gas Energy Trust to get the help they so desperately need.”
Pressure has mounted since the energy prices cap was increased on 1 April.
This has meant energy firms have been able to increase prices by up to 54% - with experts warning of a further increase in October.
British Gas has already donated £6 million to British Gas Energy Trust this year, helping an average of 8,000 customers experiencing debt issues across the UK every week.
To find out more about The British Gas Energy Trust Stop the Silence campaign click here.
