Scope
Delivering tailored energy advice and support for disabled people
Our project at a glance
- GDN partners: Cadent, Northern Gas Networks, SGN, Wales & West Utilities
- Strategic priority area: Supporting priority vulnerability groups
- Support target: 21,200 households over four years
- Duration: April 2022 to March 2026
- Investment: £3,395,000 over three years
- Forecast SROI: £7.03
You listened, treated me with respect, believed me and didn’t rush me. You offered relevant info for the issue I had called for which I also urgently needed but did not dare hope for, due to experience with other local and advice services.
DES beneficiary
Why we’re working together
Life costs more for disabled people. On average, life costs an extra £975 a month if you’re disabled, according to research from Scope.
With the extra costs of heating, equipment and therapies, disabled people are more likely to face financial vulnerability, increased energy costs and fuel poverty. Disabled people also often find it more challenging to access information and support to manage these issues.
We first partnered with disability equality charity Scope in 2020 to deliver tailored and targeted support through our Disability Energy Support (DES) with water advice service.
Following the success of our initial programme, we’re delighted to have brought together Britain’s other gas network in a new collaborative partnership from April 2022.
Our expanded programme opened up access to Scope’s independent energy advice and advocacy service to disabled people across England, Scotland and Wales. It also helped us meet the increased demand for this service as a result of the pandemic and cost-of-living crisis.
In creating an accessible route to clear information and support on energy issues, we’re able to help disabled people save money. To date, we’ve saved disabled households an average of £485 by reviewing benefit and grant entitlements.
In February 2024, the partnership extended it’s commitment to the service until March 2026 and broadened the support services to include additional help for disabled people struggling to maintain a safe and warm home.
Project objectives
- Providing a bespoke and tailored utility advice service for disabled people
- Delivering seasonal marketing campaigns that provide energy safeguarding information targeted at the needs of disabled people, and promote where and how to get help
- Promoting the Priority Services Register and helping eligible households to join
- Raising awareness of carbon monoxide and providing accessible CO alarms if required
- Developing new online resources for the Scope website to help disabled people stay safe and warm at home
How we’re working together
Trusted referral route for gas engineers nationwide
We’ve established a trusted referral route for engineers from all networks to refer disabled people for independent support to manage their energy and water needs, as well as access other Scope support services.
One-to-one energy advice
When a client contacts the DES helpline, an experienced utility adviser will assess their individual household needs during a one-on-one telephone appointment. Trained advisers provide support with understanding energy and water bills, managing energy and water debt, and accessing benefits and grants. These appointments are also an opportunity for advisers to raise carbon monoxide awareness.
PSR registration
DES advisers can register disabled households for the energy and water industry PSRs. This helps us, and the electricity networks and water companies, better support our disabled customers through our day-to-day services and in an emergency.
Crisis support for disabled households
When a disabled person in energy crisis contacts the DES helpline, we’re able to provide immediate support to keep the household safe and warm. We’re doing this through providing emergency funding for people on credit meters and heated blankets for those who would benefit from targeted warmth.
Online energy advice
We’ve worked with Scope to redevelop its online resources around energy advice. This enables disabled people to self-serve and access trusted information on the website.
Disabled community CO research
We need to have an up-to-date understanding of disabled peoples’ awareness and attitudes to CO poisoning and associated risks for us to take appropriate action.
As well as our DES service, we’ve led a collaborative mixed-method three-stage research programme. We worked with Scope and the other gas networks to gain vital insight to inform future projects, partnerships and campaigns.
How to get involved
Accessing the DES service
Our VCMA network partners can refer eligible clients to the Disability Energy Support (DES) service by applying for energy support on the Scope website.
If you’re a disabled person, you can also apply for energy support directly on the Scope website.
Becoming a Scope partner
Scope is interested in partnering with organisations wanting a commitment to disability. You can find out more about working with Scope on their website.
Scope’s Disability Price Tag research shows the average disabled household faces extra costs of £975 per month compared to non-disabled households. These costs have been exacerbated by the energy crisis. The Disability Energy Support with Water Advice has been a lifeline to thousands of customers. It’s giving essential energy advice, helping reduce costs and having a positive impact on health and wellbeing.