YMCA
Supporting vulnerable households to stay safe and warm at home for less
Our project at a glance
- GDN partners: Cadent, SGN and Wales & West Utilities
- Strategic priority area: Fuel poverty and energy affordability
- Support target: 164,828 households over 14 months
- Duration: January 2025 to February 2026
- Investment: £1,392,800 over 14 months
- Forecast SROI: £19.81
Moving into supported living at YMCA was a big step for me. I’d moved around a lot in care and wasn’t sure what to expect. But from the start, the staff made me feel welcome and supported me through everything—whether it was helping me budget, building my confidence, or just being there to talk. YMCA has genuinely helped me turn my life around, and I’m proud of how far I’ve come.
Young person living in YMCA housing
Why we’re working together
The YMCA is the world’s oldest youth charity. Today, it supports children, young people and communities nationwide through an extensive network of local YMCA centres.
At these centres, YMCA offers vulnerable households a safe place to talk and get help through guided groups, mentoring, counselling and mental health services.
The charity’s advice and support services have come under increasing strain during the cost-of-living crisis. In 2024, fellow gas network company Cadent partnered with YMCA on a six-month pilot project that provided vulnerable households with a single point of contact for independent and bespoke support to keep a safe and warm home for less.
Following the success of this pilot programme, we’ve joined together with Cadent and Wales & West Utilities to expand the project to reach households through 78 YMCA centres across England, Scotland and Wales.
Project objectives
- Upskilling YMCA teams with energy safeguarding training
- Supporting households with income maximisation, life skills and wellbeing support
- Raising awareness of carbon monoxide safety
- Increasing awareness of the Priority Services Register
How we’re working together
Upskilling YMCA teams
As part of our programme, YMCA colleagues and volunteers will receive training to equip them with the skills and knowledge to help households struggling with the cost-of-living crisis. This will include training on the PSR and how to refer households to the free service, as well as training on carbon monoxide and gas safety.
Energy safeguarding and income maximisation advice
Through our Cost-of-Living Project, we’re supporting vulnerable households with advice across six areas: benefits and welfare support, health and wellbeing, employment and training, life skills, money and budgeting, and cooking and healthy eating.
We’re delivering these support services both remotely and face-to-face at the YMCA to help people use energy safely, affordably and efficiently.
Beyond energy safeguarding, we want to support households to thrive within their communities. By arranging events such as cooking sessions, budgeting and resident meetings, we’ll bring people together to tackle loneliness and social isolation. While the project’s Employability Coordinator will help individuals secure training, apprenticeships and jobs to fulfil their potential.
Awareness raising campaign
The expanded programme will also see us reach a further 62,400 people across SGN and Wales & West Utilities network areas with safeguarding information about carbon monoxide safety, the PSR, energy efficiency and income maximisation. We’ll reach these households with leaflets distributed via YMCA centres.
How to get involved
Accessing support from YMCA
If you’re struggling to afford to keep your home safe and warm, you can find your local YMCA on the charity’s website.
Becoming a YMCA partner
If you would like to find out more about the Cost-of-Living Project, or about working with YMCA England & Wales or YMCA Scotland, please email the YMCA team at corporate@ymca.org.uk.
YMCA has always been at the heart of supporting vulnerable communities, and this expansion of the Cost-of-Living Project is a testament to our commitment to ensuring that no one is left to struggle alone. The success of the initial pilot project demonstrated just how vital this support is, and we are incredibly proud to be working alongside Cadent, SGN and WWU to scale up these efforts. Together, we are making a tangible difference in the lives of thousands, empowering individuals and families to overcome challenges and build a more secure future.