We’ve extended our support to communities most in need through this winter and beyond with the launch of our Safe and Warm Mobile Community Hubs.
The cost-of-living crisis, including higher energy costs, are putting our customers under more financial strain than ever before. With energy bills set to rise again next month, we understand that households continue to need extra support, which is why we’ve taken further action to provide targeted help for our communities who are most likely to be financially vulnerable.
In partnership with Haste, our Safe and Warm Mobile Community Hub vans will visit communities where we’re carrying out engineering work in the south of England, to provide support to those who need it. Customers can meet our trained energy advisers for free energy efficiency guidance, charity partner referrals, Priority Services Register (PSR) registrations and help with fitting a new carbon monoxide (CO) alarm – all while enjoying a cup of tea and a biscuit in the warmth.
The team is advising on the help that’s available through our well-established partnerships with charities such as Mental Health UK, Scope, and Age UK, who offer tailored support and advice around managing energy costs. The team is also explaining the support on offer from local support services, which can help families and individuals struggling to pay for food and fuel through various voucher schemes. They’ll leave a card with our contact number for anyone who isn’t around when they call.
It follows the launch of our £500,000 community support fund to help tackle fuel poverty in November last year.
The Safe and Warm Community Scheme, which we’re operating in partnership with the Centre for Sustainable Energy, is targeted at local charities and support groups which are working to help those who need help to maintain a safe and warm home. The funding will help local grassroot organisations with resources and additional training to help people in fuel poverty.
Energy Adviser Matthew Campbell
Matthew Campbell, one of our Energy Advisers, said:
“Being visible in our local communities and making sure our customers know what support is on offer is really important, particularly at the moment given the cost-of-living crisis. Talking directly to people about the services SGN and our partners can offer makes it much easier to identify the extra support individual people and families could benefit from based on their circumstances. We have such a wide range of support services available that so many of our customers are unaware of.
“During my visits, I’ve arranged verbal CO alarms for customers living with dementia, as well as being able to offer energy efficiency advice to customers who are struggling with the cost of running appliances this winter. I’ve also been able to sign customers up to the PSR every day, so I know they’ll receive the extra support they need if they’re ever without their gas, water, or electricity supply.”
Aaron Collet, Matthew Campbell, Lindsey Brown and Shelley Smith with our Mobile Community Hub van
Kerry Potter, our Group Social Impact and Vulnerability Manager, said: “We believe everyone deserves to stay safe and warm all year round and we wanted to go the extra mile for our customers and local communities during this difficult time. Through our Safe and Warm Community Scheme, we’ve already provided over £120,000 of funding to grassroot organisations in both Scotland and the south of England, with the resources to help vulnerable households in need of extra help.”
For more information on the Safe and Warm Community Scheme application process, click here.