SPFL Trust
Using the power and reach of football to support Scottish households living in fuel poverty
Our project at a glance
- Strategic priority area: Targeting geographic communities most at risk of fuel poverty
- Support target: 13,000 households over 18 months
- Duration: October 2024 to March 2026
- Investment: £262,136 over 18 months
- Forecast SROI: £1.28
Why we’re working together
The football community in Scotland has a profound impact on vulnerable populations, particularly those living in poverty. Football clubs are deeply rooted local institutions that inspire change and unity in communities. They harness the power of football to engage with those hardest to reach, using the influence of clubs, badges, stadiums and staff to deliver impactful interventions.
The Scottish Professional Football League (SPFT) Trust is a registered charity that works in partnership with all 42 SPFL clubs to develop community activities across Scotland. Together, we’ve co-designed a new strategic partnership to deliver vital messaging, interventions and support around basic energy efficiency, the Priority Services Register, our locking cooker valve and carbon monoxide awareness.
Project objectives
- Raising awareness of energy safeguards, including the Priority Services Register and carbon monoxide safety
- Engaging households in face-to-face conversations about how to maintain a safe and warm home
- Establishing a network of 10 community hubs to deliver direct support services to households in high-need areas
How we’re working together
Energy safeguard awareness raising
Through the charity’s network of Associated Trusts and Clubs (ATCs), we’re distributing energy safeguarding literature in programme packs for community projects. We’re also looking to distribute this information through the ATCs’ websites and social media accounts.
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.
Energy safeguarding conversations
Through the ATC network, we’re engaging households in face-to-face conversations on how to maintain a safe and warm home. By initiating these conversations within community teams, holiday camps and programmes, we’re able to reach vulnerable households through these discussions.
We’re delivering presentations on energy safeguards to kick start these conversations, as well as referring vulnerable households for onward support. For example, should they benefit from us installing a free locking cooker valve at their home or if they could be eligible for the Priority Services Register.
Community hubs
We aim to create a network of community hubs across 10 ATCs throughout Scotland, enabling us to provide access to direct services to communities most in need. We’re modelling this approach on the brilliant work of Pittodrie Community Hub at Aberdeen Football Club.
The community hubs will offer free hot food and drinks in addition to a range of weekly activities in a family-friendly, relaxed and cosy space. While at the community hub, households can receive advice and guidance from local organisations to help with energy bills, cost of living and overall health and wellbeing.
How to get involved
Becoming the SPFL Trust partner
You can find out more about partnering with the SPFL Trust on the Trust's website.
We are delighted to be working with SGN to deliver one of the strands of support on offer via our community hubs. People all around the country are struggling with fuel poverty, so we know their input will make a real impact in supporting people financially, but also with their overall wellbeing.