We’ve joined forces with the UK’s leading kidney patient support charity, Kidney Care UK, and fellow UK gas distribution networks (GDNs) (Cadent, SGN and Wales & West Utilities) to extend a vital partnership that will deliver life-changing support for around 25,000 people with chronic kidney disease (CKD) in the UK.
Currently only around 26% of people on dialysis are in full-time employment. Office for National Statistics data shows that people with CKD saw an average loss of earnings over five years of £14,700. This is the second highest loss of earnings, only behind people who have experienced a stroke.
This investment is testament to the success of the initial collaborative programme which began in 2024, and the need to provide long term specialist support to ensure that no one faces kidney disease alone.
Helping people living with chronic kidney disease
The additional investment of more than £1million continues the initial support from the GDNs of £2.5 million. It will enable Kidney Care UK to continue to support vulnerable customers most in need, providing people living with CKD with vital help to tackle fuel poverty through a holistic suite of patient services.
These include face-to-face support where people living with kidney disease will get assistance with benefit entitlement, welfare and specialist money and energy advice, as well as access to the charity’s Support Line.
The impact of the programme is already transforming lives, and this new investment will help more people living in our operating area across the North East, northern Cumbria and much of Yorkshire.
Life-changing support
One beneficiary, Gwilym*, turned to Kidney Care UK when he was struggling with the cost-of-living and paying household bills. The team at Kidney Care UK helped identify unclaimed financial support, including Attendance Allowance and Pension Credit. They also provided support to help extend his wife’s Personal Independence Payment claim. Through practical help completing application forms, the couple’s income was successfully increased by more than £24,000 a year.
“We’re more than a £1,000 a month better off because of what you’ve done. We’re so grateful, we wouldn’t have known to claim any of this without you. It’s life changing.” (*Individual in question has asked to remain anonymous).
Laurie Cuthbert, Director of Fundraising, Marketing & Communications at Kidney Care UK, said: “By working together over the last two years we have been able to provide life changing support to more than 15,000 people already – including helping vulnerable kidney patients access £2.1m in life-changing financial benefits they weren’t aware of and more than £350,000 in grants.
“We’re delighted to be able to continue this unique and transformational partnership, uniting statutory, charitable and corporate sectors with a common goal of ensuring that no one faces kidney disease alone.”
Laura Ratcliffe, our Head of Social Strategy, said: “Living with kidney disease is complex and challenging. This collaborative partnership opens the door to vital extra support for thousands of people when they need it most. Getting people signed up to the free Priority Services Register is just the first step.
“Through this partnership extension, we’ll ensure more people can access energy efficiency and gas safety advice to keep them safe and warm. It will help us link up patients with our network of trusted partners who can offer valuable support like income maximisation advice to ease cost-of-living pressures, so they can focus on their medical care.”
Join the free Priority Services Register for extra support when you need it
You can join the free Priority Services Register and receive extra advice and support if you or someone in your household:
- has a disability or long-term health condition,
- is medically dependent on gas, electricity or water,
- is of pensionable age,
- has children under five
- has a visual or hearing impairment
- has additional communication needs, or
- is temporarily experiencing vulnerable circumstances.
Sign up to the Priority Services Register online, email [email protected] or call 0800 040 7766, and select option 4.
Smell gas or suspect carbon monoxide? Call the24/7 National Gas Emergency Service number 0800 111 999.