Alzheimer’s Society
Ensuring people living with dementia can maintain a safe and warm home
Our project at a glance
- Participating GDNs: Cadent, SGN and Wales & West Utilities
- Priority vulnerability group: Critically ill people
- Strategic priority area: Supporting priority customer groups to access tailored support services
- Support target: 19,028 households over 12 months
- Duration: April 2025 to March 2026
- Investment: £1,129,104 over 12 months
- Forecast SROI: £2.71
The costs of dementia are frightening. So many people I speak to are struggling. For many of them, they are having to choose between being cold or being hungry.
Alzheimer’s Society Community Dementia Advisor
Why we’re working together
One in three people will develop dementia in their lifetime and around 1 million people are living with dementia today.
People living with aspects of dementia often have extra costs due to working less or having to stop work altogether. As the condition progresses, families encounter new pressures on household budgets such as home adaptations and social care.
The cost-of-living crisis is exacerbating these financial pressures facing people living with dementia and their families. What’s more, people with Alzheimer’s spend on average 22 hours per day in their home, making them vulnerable to overconsumption of energy.
Together with Cadent and Wales & West Utilities, we’ve partnered with the UK’s leading dementia charity Alzheimer’s Society to ensure people living with dementia in England can maintain a safe and warm home.
Project objectives
- Upskilling Community Dementia Advisors with skills in energy safeguarding, benefits assessments and carbon monoxide awareness
- Engaging households in conversations about how to maintain a safe and warm home
- Raising awareness of energy safeguards, including the Priority Services Register and carbon monoxide safety
- Advising households living with dementia on income maximisation and benefit entitlement
How we’re working together
Tailored energy and income maximisation advice
Community Dementia Advisors are offering support and advice to families by hosting focused energy sessions at dementia cafes and other group settings. During these sessions, the CDAs discuss energy efficiency and gas safety, CO and the PSR. They’re also able to provide tailored advice on benefits and income maximisation.
Dementia advisors are also able to support families who call the charity’s phone line for help and advice.
Awareness raising campaigns
As part of our programme, the charity is sharing vital energy safeguarding messages across its social media channels and new publications.
The information we’re sharing covers basic energy efficiency, the benefits of the Priority Services Register and how to join, our free locking cooker value safety device, and how to stay safe from carbon monoxide at home.
Frontline worker training
We’re upskilling frontline dementia advisors, including those who operate the charity’s phoneline, to equip them with knowledge around carbon monoxide safety, the benefits of the PSR and energy efficiency advice.
How to get involved
Accessing support from Alzheimer’s Society
As one of our VCMA network partners, you can refer households living with dementia for support from Alzheimer’s Society by calling the charity directly on 0333 150 3456.
Becoming an Alzheimer’s Society partner
You can find out more about partnering with Alzheimer’s Society on the charity's website.
We are pleased to be working alongside SGN on this exciting new project enhancing support available for people and their families affected by dementia in your communities.
At the heart of this work are our Community Dementia Advisors who are the front line, helping people navigate complex challenges and providing ongoing support. They’re there at every stage, sharing knowledge, finding solutions, and helping to keep people safe and well cared for.