Cadent, the UKs largest Gas Distribution Network, has this week announced a new £1.8m initiative with Scope, the disability equality charity. With a commitment to tackling fuel poverty and supporting people who are digitally excluded, the Cadent grant will be used to directly engage with disabled people and their families in the community.
The new Scope Community Disability Energy Advice Service will provide information and support to around 225,000 disabled people over the next two years. The service will operate in four areas – Manchester, Norwich, Stoke on Trent and London.
Scope’s new team of local energy experts will provide practical advice and guidance on energy bills, grants, discounts and energy efficiency, ultimately helping to keep disabled customers safe and warm in their homes and helping to reduce energy bills.
As part of the new programme, Scope will:
offer 1-2-1 meetings with disabled people to develop personalised energy action plans.
deliver presentations to disabled people in community settings such as local events, faith groups, coffee mornings, recreational activities, libraries, food banks and warm hubs.
train specialist colleagues to work across 53 Scope charity shops, to provide basic advice and signposting. There will also be pop up energy events in store.
High electricity bills because of medical equipment to power and high heating bills because of health conditions affected by the cold, means the average debt owed to energy suppliers by callers to Scope’s service is £1,986.
Jacqui Osborne, Programme Lead for Community Disability Energy advice at Scope, said: “The past few years have been challenging for disabled people and their families. The higher cost of specialist equipment, higher usage of energy and an inadequate welfare system, are all making it harder for disabled households to meet the extra cost of disability. On average disabled households, with at least one disabled adult or child, need an additional £1,010 a month to have the same standard of living as non-disabled households.
“This new partnership with Cadent, will enable us to reach far more disabled people who are struggling with their energy costs. We already reach thousands via our helpline and over email, but this will take our service to the heart of communities. It will help us reach those who are digitally excluded with bespoke and accessible support.”
In addition to energy efficiency and money management advice, further support will be provided by Cadent on Carbon Monoxide safety and alarms, Priority Services Register awareness and sign-up support, as well as guidance and resources on how people can maximise their income and benefits entitlement. Cadent has supported Scope’s activities using Ofgem’s Vulnerability and Carbon Monoxide Allowance (VCMA) funding programme. Cadent is able to provide critical and targeted support to fuel poor households and raise awareness of carbon monoxide dangers through this regulatory funding.
Phil Burrows, Head of Vulnerability at Cadent, added: “We truly feel that this partnership with Scope is groundbreaking because we know that disabled people are often excluded from discussions on topics such as financial vulnerability. We know that many disabled people are also digitally disengaged which is why it’s so important to provide trusted options in the community.”
