- National Energy Action joins forces with NGN and SGN for joint programme, A Warm Welcome
- It helps expectant families and those who have at least one child under five
- As well as advice and support, it offers help with the Priority Services Register and carbon monoxide
National Energy Action (NEA) is joining forces with gas distribution networks Northern Gas Networks (NGN) and SGN on A Warm Welcome, a project supporting families with young children who are struggling with fuel poverty.
As Emotional Health Awareness Day (24 February) reminds us, fuel poverty has a significant impact on mental and emotional wellbeing. Parents and expectant families, already under immense stress, face even greater challenges when dealing with the sky-high costs of energy.
A Warm Welcome aims to alleviate some of this strain by providing vital support to improve the health and wellbeing of families with young children.
The project will deliver training to 540-750 frontline professionals, working with families with young children. These frontline workers help around 11,000 families, providing information to tackle fuel poverty and referring people, where appropriate, for additional financial support.
Eileen Brown, Customer Experience Director, NGN said: ‘Everyone deserves a warm home. Together with National Energy Action and colleagues at SGN, we can make a difference and ensure that vulnerable communities receive the help they need to stay warm this winter.
‘It’s a great privilege that we can play a part in supporting families in vulnerable situations with one of life’s most basic needs, staying warm.’
National Energy Action Project Development Manager Molly Chambers said: ‘Households with young children are among the poorest demographics, and babies are particularly susceptible to the impacts of living in a cold home. That’s why supporting new and expectant parents with the cost of energy is so crucial.
‘Through our partnership with Northern Gas Networks and SGN, we aim to provide practical solutions and support to those who need it the most, such as hardship grants to around 80 households to buy warm blankets and essential warm clothing for babies or, where other funding is not available, to top up energy meters.’
The partnership provides funding for ventures to educate people about energy saving tips and where they can turn for additional advice and financial support. In addition, the programme provides information about carbon monoxide and staying safe when using fuel-burning appliances, as well as offering free carbon monoxide alarms.
Families with children under five and pregnant people are also entitled to sign up to the Priority Services Register via thepsr.co.uk. Joining the Priority Services Register means you’ll be able to get a range of extra help when you need it.
For more information on A Warm Welcome please visit www.nea.org.uk/projects/warm-welcome/
ENDS
Notes to editors
- National Energy Action (NEA), is the national fuel poverty charity, working across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, to improve the lives of people in fuel poverty. We directly support people with energy and income maximisation advice, and we advocate on issues such as the current energy crisis and the need to improve the energy efficiency of our homes. See: www.nea.org.uk/.
- Research from Fuel Bank Foundation found that one in four (28%) children who live in cold homes are at risk of developing multiple mental health conditions, such as anxiety and depression. https://www.fuelbankfoundation.org/news/new-report-outlines-devastating-impact-of-fuel-poverty-on-children/