CSE is working with SGN to help create a network of community organisations that can provide much-needed support for people struggling with the current cost-of-living crisis. The scheme is called Safe and Warm and has been running since December 2022.

Safe and Warm provides funding and support for local initiatives helping customers with carbon monoxide safety and alleviating fuel poverty.

It gives grants of £30,000 to £40,000 to small organisations who support people in high-vulnerability locations who are in need of help to stay safe and warm over the colder winter period.

Liz Crew is director of TechResort, one of the funded organisations. She told us: “Most of our clients are on low incomes and feeling the cost-of-living rises very acutely. Digital poverty underpins their challenges in finding out accurate energy information and maximising their income to help offset the price rises. You are enabling us to reach people who often don’t present at traditional support sites – such as foodbanks – because of the associated shame linked to poverty.”

Organisations whose applications are Successful applicants are given resources to supporting project staff and volunteers in their work with vulnerable customers, free training on carbon monoxide safety awareness advice, help with getting customers onto the priority services register, and the opportunity to join network meetings, collaborate with other organisations, and provide SGN with local insights to help shape future schemes.

Please note that applications for this scheme are now closed. If you have any queries please email sgncommunity@cse.org.uk.

Who does the scheme fund?

The organisations that the Safe & Warm scheme has funded are from areas where SGN operate the gas network. This includes all of Scotland, and all of the counties of Dorset, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, West Sussex, East Sussex and Kent. It also includes parts of Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Surrey and South London.

The focus is on small grassroots organisations who:

• Have experience in working with hard-to-reach and seldom-heard groups.
• Are embedded in their local area and able to connect with individuals who may not otherwise access support.
• Are keen to join a network of similar organisations to share learning and best practice.
• Are legally incorporated or are being supported by a legally incorporated partner organisation.
• Have robust administrative and management systems.

Organisations who are successful in their applications are able to demonstrate that they can provide help clients with all of the following, either directly or through referrals:

• Personalised energy advice.
• Priority Services Register sign-ups.
• Benefits eligibility checks and debt advice.
• Energy crisis support (fuel voucher or emergency funding) and other crisis support (e.g. food, clothing or housing).
• Carbon monoxide safety awareness advice.
• Other areas of support for vulnerable customers.

The scheme is currently funding 39 organisations across Southern England and Scotland:

England

• Afghanistan and Central Asian Association 
• African Refugee Women Nzoto Ya Nkolo
• Community Drug and Alcohol Recovery Services 
• East Malling Centre
• Family Support Work
• Flashy Wings Ministry 
• Friendly Faces of Kent
• Fusion Maidstone
• Green Isle of Wight
• Hope Trust Oxford
• Mid Kent Mind
• Quiet Down There
• Selsey Community Forum
• Spring Community Hub
• Status Education 
• Sussex Association for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus (SASBAH)
• Swale Community and Voluntary Services
• TechResort 
• The Baytree Centre
• The Lighthouse (Emmaus Transformation Trust)
• The Network of International Women for Brighton and Hove
• The Sapphire Community Housing 
• The Upper Norwood Library Trust 
• The Vine Centre 
• Time and Talents Association
• Unity (Southern)

Scotland

• ALIenergy
• Brechin Buccaneers
• Cumbernauld Poverty Action
• Edinburgh Old Town Development Trust
• Fifers for the Community
• Glasgow’s Golden Generation
• Home Start Clackmannanshire
• Kirrie Connections
• Pilgrim Care
• REAP
• The Food Train
• The Play Centre Glasgow
• Whitlawburn Community Resource Centre

Previously funded organisations

Impact

Here are the topline stats for how the SGN Safe & Warm scheme helped people and organisations in 2023-2024.