Applications for the Northern Gas Networks (NGN) Affordable Warmth and Safety scheme are now closed.

Grants of between £5,000 and £16,000 have been awarded to local initiatives which help vulnerable customers with gas safety, basic energy advice, and fuel poverty support, working in NGN’s network area.

The projects are expected to be delivered between 1 September 2025 and 31 January 2026. 

Applicants were typically organisations such as warm spaces, food banks, youth clubs, charities supporting refugees, charities supporting families, and digital inclusion charities. To be eligible, they needed to be legally incorporated organisations, operating within the NGN license area, and have experience of providing support to vulnerable households.

Training and resources will be provided to successful applicants and so previous experience in the energy advice sector was not required.

Impact of the funding

Below are some examples of successful applicants to previous rounds of funding, and the work they were able to achieve as a result of the NGN funding.

Cleveland Housing Association

Since 1992, the Cleveland Housing Association has offered advice, advocacy, and representation in welfare, housing, debt, and related issues for residents living in the North East. With the funding, they have supported 220 households in affording basic energy use at home for lighting, cooking and heating.

The NGN funding, and training provided by CSE, enabled our staff to deliver energy advice to local people.

They worked with a 71-year-old living alone in a privately rented property who suffers from several health conditions that make them vulnerable to cold weather. After providing the client with a range of energy advice and tips, a carbon monoxide alarm was installed and they were supported in claiming an extra £200 per week from the Attendance Allowance and Pension Credit. This also means they will be eligible to claim the Warm Home Discount and Winter Fuel Payment next winter.

Give a Gift

Give a Gift supports refugees, asylum seekers, people experiencing poverty and other disadvantaged communities by providing food parcels, support with finding housing and advice, advocacy and other short-term financial assistance. Staff at the organisation are now more confident and informed when delivering tailored energy advice, supporting with fuel poverty, and identifying hidden needs.

The training and support has significantly enhanced our organisation’s capacity to assist vulnerable households.

As a result of the funding, they were able to support a single mother with two young children who was struggling with high energy bills and a broken heating system. She had been relying on a small electric heater, which was expensive to run, and was worried about keeping her children warm. Give a Give provided her with an energy voucher to help cover her electricity costs, contacted her landlord to repair her boiler and provide energy-saving advice for managing her heating.

If you have any questions about the scheme, please email ngncommunity@cse.org.uk or call 0117 363 4248.