Thousands of vulnerable households across England, Scotland and Wales will benefit from trusted local support to help them manage energy costs and stay safe and warm, as energy networks expand a successful community programme.
Gas Distribution Networks (GDNs) SGN, Northern Gas Networks and Wales & West Utilities have joined forces with the Centre for Sustainable Energy (CSE) to deliver the next phase of the Safe & Warm Grassroots Community Scheme, a £1.15 million programme designed to extend support to people most at risk of fuel poverty, financial hardship and energy vulnerability.
As part of the new programme, a network of up to 60 organisations will be established across the participating GDN areas, significantly increasing the reach and impact of community-based energy support.
Running until March 2028, the initiative will empower local grassroots organisations with the skills, knowledge and resources they need to provide energy advice and support within their communities. By working through trusted organisations that already have strong relationships with local residents, the scheme will ensure more people can access vital help and be connected to 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.”
The expanded programme builds on the success of an initiative between CSE and SGN launched in 2022, which demonstrated the value of working with community organisations to reach households who may be less likely to engage with traditional support channels. In July 2024, Northern Gas Networks came on board using the trialled and tested framework to reach communities in their region.
With the inclusion of Wales & West Utilities this year, a larger cross-network partnership has been created that will encourage greater collaboration between organisations operating in different regions.
A key feature of the expanded scheme is the introduction of 12 mentor organisations – established community groups that delivered particularly strong outcomes during the previous phase of the programme who have been selected to take on an enhanced role supporting newer organisations.
The mentor organisations will provide guidance, share best practice and create peer learning opportunities that will help build confidence, strengthen project delivery and support the long-term sustainability of grassroots groups across the network.
Alongside this, new organisations will be welcomed into the programme, many with little or no previous experience of delivering energy-related advice but selected as they have already built trusted relationships within the communities they serve.
The initiative forms part of the GDNs’ continued commitment to supporting customers in vulnerable situations and tackling the challenges faced by households struggling to stay warm and healthy at home.
Margaret Hamilton, Community Partnership Manager at SGN, said: “We know that community organisations play a vital role in supporting people who may be struggling with the rising cost of living, living in vulnerable circumstances or facing barriers to accessing help.
“By expanding the Safe & Warm Grassroots Community Scheme and working alongside the Centre for Sustainable Energy, Northern Gas Networks and Wales & West Utilities, we're investing in the trusted local networks that can make the biggest difference. This programme will help more organisations develop the skills and confidence needed to support the communities they know best, ensuring more customers can access the advice, assistance and services available to help them stay safe and warm.”
