Cruse Bereavement Support
Supporting bereaved people to maintain a safe and warm home
Our project at a glance
- Priority need group: Critically ill people
- Strategic priority area: Supporting priority vulnerability groups to access tailored support services
- Support target: 8,000 households
- Duration: September 2024 to March 2026
- Investment: £684,934 over 19 months
- Forecast SROI: £1.59
Why we’re working together
Bereavement can lead to a reduction in household income, often completely removing an earned salary from a household. This impact, which is often sudden, can worsen existing financial difficulties and increase the risk of falling into fuel poverty.
The emotional, psychological and physical strain of losing a loved one can also significantly impair an individual's or family’s ability to manage financial matters, leading to increased vulnerability. This can be particularly acute when the bereaved person is older and now on their own following the loss of their partner, especially when the deceased person solely managed the family finances.
Cruse is the UK’s leading bereavement charity, supporting people online, through its helpline and in person. Through our partnership, we’re helping alleviate fuel poverty for people experiencing bereavement and pre-bereavement across our Southern network area.
Together, we’re supporting bereaved people to maintain a safe and warm home so they can focus on their mental health and wellbeing while grieving a loved one, rather than worry about their fuel bills.
Project objectives
- Providing energy safeguarding advice and information to bereaved households
- Encouraging eligible households to sign up for the Priority Services Register
- Raising awareness of carbon monoxide safety and providing free CO alarms to households most at risk of CO harm
- Upskilling the Cruse team to confidently identify and triage households in fuel poverty
How we’re working together
Energy safeguarding for bereaved households
Through our programme, we’re introducing a dedicated energy project team at Cruse who’ll provide personalised support to bereaved households and referrals for people with emergency energy needs. The energy project team will provide this support through the charity’s helpline, community-based groups and local events. The new team will also provide training and support to the wider Cruse team on how to identify and triage households in fuel poverty.
Awareness raising campaigns
We’ll reach 68,000 people who have experienced bereavement through Cruse online and print activities to raise awareness of the energy support service. This direct marketing messages to promote the Priority Services Register and messages tailored to seasonal energy safeguarding messaging.
How to get involved
Accessing support from Cruse
As one of our VCMA network partners, you can refer bereaved clients to Cruse through the charity’s website.
If you’re grieving, the Cruse team can support you. Visit the Cruse Bereavement Support website for more information on how to reach the team.
Becoming a Cruse partner
You can find out more about partnering with Cruse on the charity’s website.
Working in partnership with SGN to support bereaved households with their energy issues is a great opportunity for Cruse to develop more comprehensive support for bereaved people.