Thousands of households in vulnerable situations across England, Scotland and Wales will be able to turn to trusted local organisations for help managing energy costs and staying safe and warm, as gas networks expand a successful community programme
Northern Gas Networks (NGN) has joined forces with fellow gas distribution networks SGN and Wales & West Utilities, and the Centre for Sustainable Energy (CSE), to deliver the next phase of the Safe & Warm Grassroots Community Scheme. The £1.15 million programme will extend support to people most at risk of fuel poverty, financial hardship and energy vulnerability.
A growing network of trusted local organisations
Up to 60 organisations will form a network across the participating gas network areas, significantly increasing the reach and impact of community-based energy support.
Running until March 2028, the scheme will give local grassroots organisations the skills, knowledge and resources they need to provide energy advice and support in their communities. By working through trusted organisations that already have strong relationships with local residents, it will help more people access vital help and connect with wider services.
Martine Fitt, Project Manager at CSE, said: “The success of the programme to date has demonstrated the power of grassroots organisations to reach and support people who might otherwise miss out on vital help. We’re excited to build on that success by welcoming new organisations into the network while drawing on the expertise of experienced mentor partners to strengthen support across all three gas network areas.”
Building on success
The expanded programme builds on an initiative launched by CSE and SGN in 2022, which showed the value of working with community organisations to reach households who may be less likely to engage with traditional support channels. Northern Gas Networks joined in July 2024, using the tried-and-tested framework to reach communities in our operating area.
With Wales & West Utilities joining this year, the scheme is now a larger cross-network partnership that will encourage greater collaboration between organisations in different regions.
Mentors supporting new organisations
A key feature of the expanded scheme is the introduction of 12 mentor organisations. These established community groups delivered particularly strong outcomes during the previous phase and have been selected to take on an enhanced role supporting newer organisations.
The mentors will provide guidance, share best practice and create peer learning opportunities to help build confidence, strengthen project delivery and support the long-term sustainability of grassroots groups across the network.
New organisations will also join the programme. Many have little or no previous experience of delivering energy advice, but have been selected because they have already built trusted relationships within the communities they serve.
Supporting customers in vulnerable situations
The scheme forms part of the gas networks’ continued commitment to supporting customers in vulnerable situations and tackling the challenges faced by households struggling to stay warm and healthy at home.
Laura Ratcliffe, Head of Social Strategy at Northern Gas Networks, said: “This programme extension means we can continue working together to help more older people stay safe, warm and well and deliver life-changing, trusted support that meets their individual needs.
“The next phase of this collaborative partnership will play a key role in ensuring more older people across the communities we serve get the right support at the right time.”