SGN Safe & Warm scheme
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. It is funded through The Vulnerability and Carbon Monoxide (CO) Allowance.
The Safe and Warm Communities scheme provides funding and support for local initiatives helping customers with carbon monoxide safety and alleviating fuel poverty.
Between January 2023 and May 2025, the scheme has funded just over £2.5m to 67 grassroot organisations who have supported almost 40,000 households with energy safeguarding, winter resilience and carbon monoxide awareness.
“The SGN scheme supports grassroot organisations to provide essential services to underserved communities. On top of funding, CSE’s programme of training, networking opportunities, resources and guidance supports funded organisations to build the skills and confidence to embed energy advice into their services, and build up the credibility and reputation locally creating a long-lasting legacy.”
Megan Blyth, Project Manager
Expanding support for people in fuel poverty
With the funding and support from CSE, organisations are supporting households in vulnerable circumstances to:
- Be better protected from rising energy bills, lack of funding and joined-up services.
- Have better awareness of their rights and options in a complex energy system.
- Have better knowledge and access to support available to them (e.g. the Priority Services Register).
- Have an increased awareness of carbon monoxide safety.
- Access energy advice in other languages ensuring they can access information they wouldn’t otherwise.
- Get support with debt alleviation and prevention through accessing crisis support (e.g. fuel vouchers) and referrals to debt and income maximisation support.
“Staying warm affordably was frequently at the top of people’s list of stressors. Since being equipped to help people with their practical stresses we’ve noticed that people are then free to work on their general wellbeing and do become much happier and healthier quicker.”
Representative, Healthy n Happy
The scheme has enabled funded organisations to:
- Provide tailored advice suitable for their community’s needs. Increase knowledge of other services that staff and volunteers did not previously know existed and can now signpost to, freeing up time for other support.
- Recruit more staff and volunteers, adding organisational capacity.
- Develop and test creative and innovative events and activities and build collaborative partnerships to reach new individuals.
- Build experience and credibility, sometimes leading to securing further funding.
“This training and information proved to be invaluable resources for our organisation. They have significantly enhanced our capacity to provide impactful energy advice confidently and safely to our customers. The field of energy advice often contains a wealth of information, sometimes with conflicting advice. However, we found the resources provided in the CSE’s Safe and Warm Resource Pack to be comprehensive and well-suited to our specific needs.”
Representative, Network of International Women Brighton and Hove
“We are very grateful for this funding. We did not have much experience in giving energy advice before but felt like we had to deliver this to our community and clients. The funding has enabled us to bridge the gap in our community. Even though the funding is intended to address energy poverty in our community, it has also served as a springboard to other opportunities. As a result of this project, we have received funding for a domestic violence project, funding for health and wellbeing workshop, and funding for emergency food support.”
Representative, Flashy Wings Ministry
Who does the scheme fund?
The organisations that the Safe & Warm Communities scheme funds 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 underserved 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.
Please note that applications for this scheme are now closed. If you have any queries please email sgncommunity@cse.org.uk
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Cumbernauld Poverty Action
Cumbernauld Poverty Action shares how SGN Safe and Warm Communities funding helped their organisation.
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Flashy Wings Ministry
Flashy wings Ministry shares how SGN Safe and Warm Communities funding helped their organisation.
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Green Isle of Wight
Green Isle of Wight CIC shares how SGN Safe and Warm Communities funding helped their organisation.
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The Hope Trust Oxford
The Hope Trust Oxford shares how SGN Safe and Warm Communities funding helped their organisation.
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Community Drug and Alcohol Recovery Services (CDARS)
Community Drug and Alcohol Recovery Services (CDARS) share how SGN: Safe and Warm funding helped their organisation.
