Safely back on supply

South Seeds

Supporting south-central Glasgow households to stay safe and warm at home

Our project at a glance

  • Strategic priority area: Targeting geographic communities most at risk of fuel poverty
  • Support target: 200 households
  • Duration: May 2024 to March 2025
  • Investment: £3,000 over 11 months
  • Forecast SROI: £1.75 

Why we’re working together

Before the pandemic, 25% of the population of Glasgow was in fuel poverty. Since then, Glasgow residents have faced both the energy crisis and the cost-of-living crisis. 

South Seeds is a community organisation based in the south-central area of Glasgow that works in partnership with residents and local organisations to help Southsiders lead more sustainable lives. 

Working together with Southeast Food Bank and Govanhill Housing Association, South Seeds has identified over 200 vulnerable housing association households who are not using gas in the area. 

There are various reasons why vulnerable households may choose to isolate their gas supply or have the decision taken away from them by their supplier. Without their gas supply, these vulnerable residents are more likely to be living in cold damp homes, which put their health and wellbeing at risk. 

We’ve partnered with South Seeds on a new initiative to support vulnerable households in south-central Glasgow to restart using their gas supply to heat their homes and share the stories.

Project objectives

  • Providing 200 households with in-depth fuel poverty and energy efficiency support
  • Promoting the Priority Services Register and helping households sign up for the free service
  • Raising awareness of carbon monoxide (CO) safety 
  • Providing emergency fuel vouchers to households in energy crisis 
  • Sharing stories about vulnerable households through case studies

How we’re working together

One-to-one energy efficiency and fuel poverty support

We’re helping vulnerable households who have been living without their gas supply to get back on supply. An experienced energy officer works with households on a one-to-one basis, providing holistic support to use energy safely, affordably and efficiently. 

In addition to helping households get back on supply, the energy officer will work with the household to raise awareness of carbon monoxide safety, sign up for the PSR and become more confident about managing how they use energy at home. 

How to get involved

Accessing the South Seeds service

As one of our VCMA network partners, you can refer your clients in south-central Glasgow for support from South Seeds by getting in touch with the team by emailing saveenergy@southseeds.org or calling 0141 636 3959.

Becoming a South Seeds partner

You can find out more about working with South Seeds through the organisation’s website.

We want to share the stories about how vulnerable people are coping with their gas and electricity during this energy crisis. Our case studies explain how energy problems have been resolved through face-to-face support. 

Lucy Gillie

South Seeds