Having rolled out 65 projects supporting customers in vulnerable situations, NGN is seeking to cast its net wider to find additional partners across the North East, northern Cumbria and Yorkshire. 

 Gas distributor Northern Gas Networks recently met with health and social care specialists and groups with vested interests with the aim of tackling the impact of fuel poverty on health outcomes. 

Given that 1 in 5 gas customers may need extra support during their interactions with NGN, yet they might only deal with the gas network once in their lifetime, it is essential that NGN has a strategy that focusses on looking after customers in vulnerable situations. 

As part of its Customer Vulnerability strategy, NGN organises throughout the year, events aimed at addressing the issues facing customers in vulnerable situations, bringing together its wide-ranging partnership network to develop and roll out best practice and share experiences. 

Speaking to its partners, NGN, which transports gas to 2.7 million homes and businesses across the North East, northern Cumbria and Yorkshire, hears first-hand what customers in vulnerable situations need.  

Recently, delegates came together to speak with the team about their invaluable work to date and future plans to support people facing and experiencing fuel poverty. 

NGN works closely with several partners across the region where it operates. Through its Ofgem-funded Vulnerability and Carbon Monoxide (CO) Allowance (VCMA), NGN provides funding to organisations, who are experts in their fields to advise and help resolve, with practical solutions the problems people face when they struggle to keep their homes warm.  

It is now widely understood that homes that are cold due to fuel poverty exacerbate health inequalities and the area where NGN operates contains some of the most economically challenged communities in the UK, from remote parts of rural Northumberland to deprived areas of Bradford. 

Eileen Brown, Customer Experience at NGN said:  

“We were delighted that so many organisations gave their time to collaborate with us on how best to direct the funds that we have available to support local projects tackling the issues impacting our communities. 

“Understanding and hearing the issues from these experts is essential for us to be able to provide financial support to on-the-ground organisations directly helping people who are really struggling and worrying about keeping warm as the colder months approach. 

“Cold homes can cause or worsen a range of serious health conditions and people can die because of living in a cold home. Fuel poverty can also have a significant impact on mental health.  

“Working with expert partners across our region means we can target advice and awareness to where it’s needed most and develop projects delivering tangible benefits to peoples’ lives.” 

Hannah Greason, Tackling Poverty Officer at Gateshead Council said:  

“Tackling fuel poverty is a core priority for my team at the Council, so it’s really encouraging to hear what Northern Gas has done and is planning to do in their efforts to support vulnerable residents. It was also particularly insightful to hear NEA’s updates on Warm Home Prescriptions which I didn’t know about until now. Another informative and well-executed workshop from NGN!” 

Northern Gas Networks is currently working on 65 projects across its geographical footprint and is now looking for additional partners to come on board. If you’d like to hear more about funding available through Northern Gas Networks, please get in touch with Stephanie Ord SOrd@northerngas.co.uk 

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