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, which has been running since December and supports 33 organisations, has been extended and is accepting new applications. Here are the organisations providing support under the scheme.

The aim of the scheme is to support people in high-vulnerability locations who are in need of help to stay safe and warm over the colder winter period. It provides funding and support for local initiatives helping customers with carbon monoxide safety and alleviating fuel poverty. An organisation the scheme has supported says

Most of our clients are on low incomes and feeling the cost-of-living rises very acutely. As well as experiencing energy and food poverty, 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.

Liz Crew, Chief Operations Officer/Director, TechResort

Grants of £10,000 to £25,000 will be made available to small organisations who are able to meet the eligibility criteria and are successful in their applications to the scheme.

Eligible areas

We’re looking for applications from the south of England and across Scotland where SGN operate the gas network.

The SGN area includes all of Scotland, Dorset, Hampshire & Isle of Wight, West & East Sussex, and Kent. It also includes parts of Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Surrey and the southern parts of London.

Please use the images below or use SGN’s postcode checker to see if you’re in the right area.

Eligibility

We’re looking for 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, including being able to record customer interactions, provide summary data for reporting, and be in a position to share detailed records for audit at the end of the funding period.

Organisations who are successful in their applications will be able to demonstrate that they are able to provide help directly on, or make supported referrals for, all of the following:

• Personalised energy advice (e.g. energy efficiency behaviour change), energy efficiency measures and energy schemes (e.g. Warm Home Discount).
• 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.

Support for successful organisations

Successful applicants will be able to access a resources pack (aimed at 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.

How to apply

We are now accepting applications. To register your interest please fill out the form below. When we receive this, we will send you a pack with a link to the online application form and guidance on how to complete it.

Organisations offering support under the scheme

Scotland:

Healthy and Happy (Cambuslang and Rutherglen – Glasgow)	South Seeds (Glasgow)	The Food Train (Glasgow, Renfrewshire, East Renfrewshire)
The Play Center Glasgow C.I.C (Glasgow)	Fifers for the Community (Fife)	Merkinch Partnership (Merkinch)
REAP (Moray)	Cumbernauld Poverty Action (Cumbernauld, Kilsyth)

London and Surrey:

African Refugee Women Nzoto Ya Nkolo (Croydon)	CDARS (Merton, Wandsworth, Richmond, Kingston and Sutton)	Newham-Refugee-Consortium-BOBOTO (Croydon)
CREW Energy (Merton)	Hackney Association Youth Club (Mitcham)	Afghanistan and Central Asian Association (Lewisham)
Community Links Bromley (Bromley)	The Upper Norwood Library Trust (Lambeth and Croydon)	The Sapphire Community Housing (Lambeth, Lewisham)
Flashy Wings Ministry (Southwark)

West and East Sussex:

TechResort (Polegate and Eastbourne)	The Network of International Women for Brighton and Hove (Brighton and Hove)	Worthing Mencap Society (Worthing)
Home-Start Arun, Worthing & Adur (Arun, Worthing & Adur)	Status Education (Godalming)	Sussex Association for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus (SASBAH)
Horsham Matters (Horsham)

Kent:

Children and Families

Swale Community and Voluntary Services

Oxford:

Oxford Churches Debt Centre

Hope Trust Oxford

Dorset:

Somerford Youth and Community Centre (Bournemouth)

Citizens Advice East Dorset and Purbeck

Hampshire:

PEBL – Prospect Estate Big Local

The Vine Centre (Rushmoor and surrounding areas)