The Caribbean & African Health Network (CAHN), in partnership with gas distribution networks Cadent and SGN, today launches 'Safer Homes', a new initiative to tackle energy crisis and improve home safety for Black communities in Lambeth, Southwark, and Lewisham.
As we navigate through the autumn season, many of us begin to brace for winter: rising fuel costs, extra clothing layers, and the challenge of keeping homes warm without overspending. The Caribbean and African community across the UK experiences these concerns more acutely, as their specific needs and lived realities are frequently overlooked.
'Safer Homes' builds on CAHN’s partnership with gas distribution network Cadent, which has been working with Caribbean and African communities across Greater Manchester and Enfield since October 2023. Together, reaching nearly 10,000 people with carbon monoxide safety advice, providing energy efficiency support to over 4,500 individuals, and helping around 700 residents increase their income through access to benefits and entitlements.
There are patterns of disadvantage among people from minority ethnic backgrounds which need to be acknowledged and tackled. For instance, socioeconomic disadvantages are more prevalent among Black and minority ethnic groups than among the majority White population in the UK. Men and women from some ethnic groups are paid less on average than those from other groups who have similar qualifications.
Through face-to-face via drop-in sessions, culturally appropriate information distributed at Community Forums and via the CAHN helpline and digital presence, the focus for ‘Safer Homes’ is ensuring no one is left behind – bridging the gap in energy efficiency, carbon monoxide awareness and alarm safety, income maximisation, and Priority Services Register support for vulnerable individuals and those with fewer financial resources.
Janet Duggan, Community Partnership Manager at SGN, said: “We’re delighted to be partnering with Caribbean & African Health Network to provide this essential energy support and safeguarding service to households across Lambeth, Lewisham and Southwark. CAHN are seeing first-hand the impact the cost of living crisis is having on those with families struggling to afford to maintain a safe and warm home. Through their specialist local energy advice team, they’ll support households ahead of winter to use energy safely, efficiently and affordably while building a network of support partners to provide further services to help address fuel poverty and the challenges households face.”
Charles Kwaku-Odoi, Chief Executive at Caribbean & African Health Network (CAHN) said: “We are delighted to be delivering this project, which supports our mission of tackling inequalities in the Black African and Caribbean community. By ensuring households are safe, warm and informed, we are addressing immediate pressures like fuel poverty whilst also strengthening resilience and tackling the wider determinants of long-term health.”
Amanda Jones, Safeguarding and Community Partnership Lead at Cadent said: “Our partnership with CAHN has far exceeded our expectations. What began as a collaboration to support harder to reach communities disproportionately affected by fuel poverty has enabled us to help far more people than we ever anticipated - highlighting the urgent and widespread need for these vital services.
“Together, we’ve delivered essential gas safety education and provided income maximisation advice to thousands of people within Black communities in Manchester and Enfield. We’re proud to be expanding this support further, ensuring more people remain safe and well in their homes by welcoming SGN into the fold to help us deliver these services across its South London network.”
Bernice, in the CAHN Delivery Team, said: “Engaging directly with our community and providing practical tools, such as carbon monoxide monitors and alarms, makes a real difference for families who rely on various forms of heating to stay warm during the colder months. This is just one example of the vital information we will be sharing across the region. Support is available, and our goal is to ensure every family has the right standard of access, helping to reduce any additional strain on their overall wellbeing and mental health.”
