Northern Gas Networks (NGN), in partnership with Point North, today launches a new £50,000 ‘Community Partnering Fund’ designed to support local charities and community groups who are supporting people experiencing fuel poverty in County Durham and Tees Valley.
The Community Partnering Fund will provide grants between £1,000 to £10,000 to help community organisations deliver support to vulnerable households living in fuel poverty.
The fund will also support projects focused on:
- Providing an energy advice, advocacy and support service
- Raising awareness of the Priority Services Register (PSR)
- Educating the public about the dangers of Carbon Monoxide (CO) and the measures to take to stay safe
To support the groups working in the community, Point North will host a webinar to provide further information and guidance to potential applicants before they apply for the fund. Interested groups are encouraged to attend the webinar before they submit their application.
Eileen Brown, Customer Experience Director, Northern Gas Networks, said: “It is a privilege for us at Northern Gas Networks to provide financial support to organisations who help people who are really struggling and worrying about keeping warm now the colder months have arrived.
“The Fund is however, not just limited to tackling fuel poverty, we are working hard to raise awareness of the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning and the benefits of being on the Priority Services Register; which aims to ensure that support for the most vulnerable in society is prioritised in the event of a loss of gas or electricity supply.
“The benefits of being placed on the register range from being provided with alternative cooking and heating equipment, to provision of hot meals, and even alternative accommodation if this is needed.
“Awareness and advice about Carbon Monoxide and the Priority Services Register can make such a difference to people in their everyday lives and being aware can sometimes mean the difference between life and death in the unfortunate event of exposure to carbon monoxide.”
Michelle Cooper, Chief Executive at Point North, added: “In the North East, 14.4% of households live in fuel poverty, that’s why we’re very grateful to the team at Northern Gas Networks for providing this support to communities in County Durham and Tees Valley. As we head into the colder winter months, this fund will be crucial for households who are forced to make the impossible choice between heating and eating.”
Applications for the Community Partnering Fund close on Sunday 19 January.
For more information and to submit an application, please visit: https://pointnorth.org.uk/grants/northern-gas-networks-community-partnering-fund/
