Covid-19 has put everybody in a more vulnerable position when it comes to paying for energy, as we’re all spending more time at home and more money on energy bills. And with the cold weather well and truly here, many people will have been struggling to keep their homes warm because of inadequate heating and greater lockdown demand.

That is why Northern Gas Networks (NGN), the North of England’s gas distributor, is supporting this year’s #BigEnergySavingWeek (18 – 24 January). The annual awareness week, led by Citizen’s Advice, is a call to action for gas and electricity customers, and gives consumers practical advice on how to reduce their gas bills and make their homes more energy efficient.

While NGN doesn’t supply gas directly to homes, we do own and manage the gas network in Yorkshire, the North East and northern Cumbria. We are responsible for 37,000km of gas pipes – enough to stretch from Leeds to Sydney and back again – and deliver gas to 2.7 million properties.

NGN also supports community partners, charities and not-for-profit organisations across the North of England, enabling these organisations to then support vulnerable residents, including those on low incomes or households living in fuel poverty.

Jill Walker, Social Strategy Project Manager at Northern Gas Networks, said: “We speak to our customers all the time and know how hard the last year has been for many people. The new year looks to be even more challenging. That’s why it is important that we support initiatives such as Big Energy Saving Week and share with our customers ideas for how they can make their homes warmer and less expensive to heat.”

One of community partners part-funded by NGN is Green Doctor.  Run by Groundwork, a federation of charities mobilising practical community action on poverty and the environment across the UK, Green Doctor works across the North of England to help people to heat their homes more efficiently.

For example, a Green Doctor will work with a household to help them identify where their home is losing heat, fit heating-saving features such as draft excluders, and give advice on warm home grants and benefits that people may be entitled to.

Simon Kilshaw, Green Doctor Manager, said: “We are very grateful to Northern Gas Networks for their consistent support and funding over the last five years. This has enabled the Green Doctors to consistently deliver our energy advice service to thousands of households, people and organisations across Yorkshire, and enabled us to reach the most energy vulnerable in our communities.

“This is particularly relevant during this current Covid-19 pandemic, combined with the winter conditions, when many of those living in cold homes are also struggling with lockdown. Having the Green Doctor service available, along with our many trusted support partners, is a massive help for many.”

On Wednesday 20 January, Green Doctor will be talking about smart meters and explaining why they are useful on a practical level, especially during the pandemic, as well as debunking some of the popular myths people may have about them.

The free online presentation, hosted in partnership with energy supplier Utilita and National Energy Action, will show customers how smart meters can monitor spending in real time and encourage more efficient use of electricity and heating to save on money. It will be hosted by the Green Doctor energy advice team.

Also on 20 January, the Green Doctor team of experts is providing a free online ‘Fuel Poverty Awareness Course’, which starts at 12pm and has been designed to meet the needs of social prescribers, link workers and frontline staff who are working with the most vulnerable in our communities, to provide them with a specialist knowledge of the causes and signs of residents in fuel poverty.

The course will also share a toolkit of practical advice that they can use to help their clients. The course lasts around three-and-a-half hours and is being run by two highly qualified and experienced Green Doctor trainers.

To book onto either of the courses, go to https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/groundwork-yorkshire-31581035535

Another avenue of support is the free Priority Services Register (PSR), which gives extra help to vulnerable customers if they have problems with their gas supply at home.

By signing up to the PSR, you will be seen as a priority customer if your gas supply is interrupted: this could mean NGN providing you with alternative heating and cooking facilities, sharing information in your preferred language, or arranging a visit by a Dementia Friend. The Register is aimed at customers who are of pensionable age, have long-term health conditions or are parents with children under five. You can find out more and register for free at www.northerngasnetworks.co.uk – just search for Priority Customers.

To find out more about events taking place during Big Energy Saving Week 2021, follow #BigEnergySavingWeek on Twitter.

There is more information about Green Doctor at  https://www.groundwork.org.uk/hubs/north-east-and-yorkshire/green-doctor or you can email greendoctorleeds@groundwork.org.uk