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SGN and the ALLIANCE collaborate to support energy costs for households in Scotland

  • Area of Work: The ALLIANCE
  • Type: News Item
  • Published: 19th August 2024
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This partnership has been significant in helping break down barriers that stop people getting safe and affordable energy.

Gas distribution network SGN has partnered with the Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland (the ALLIANCE) Links Worker Programme to support people with long term health conditions who face significant barriers to keeping their home safe and warm.

Through their longstanding work in this area , the ALLIANCE has identified a need for greater awareness and accessibility of energy industry support services for people with long term health conditions. They may not be aware of available services, such as the Priority Services Register, or might struggle to access them.

The partnership aims to reach 26,000 households across Scotland between March 2022 and August 2026, with a total investment of £597,443 during these four years.

The funds will be put towards ALLIANCE’s Links Worker Programme, which focuses on lessening the impact of the social factors impacting people’s health. Community Links Workers (CLWs) support individuals to improve their health and wellbeing by offering help to people facing issues such as poverty, loneliness and isolation, housing, debt, and abuse.

The partnership comes as part of SGN’s ongoing commitment to support 500,000 vulnerable customers to use energy safely, efficiently and affordably between 2021 and 2026. As part of this five-year strategy, SGN has developed an extensive partnership network to support households and individuals up and down the country.

Susan Young, Chief Officer of Operations at the ALLIANCE commented:

“This partnership has been significant in helping break down barriers that stop people getting safe and affordable energy. By working together with SGN and with the funding for food and fuel vouchers, our Community Links Workers have been able to reach and support individuals and families who are most in need. We look forward to this partnership growing and continuing to make a difference in the lives of people across Scotland.”

Margaret Hamilton, Community Partnership Manager at SGN, said:

“We’re committed to keeping our communities safe and warm and we know people with health conditions are uniquely impacted by higher than average energy costs. By working in a joined-up way with the ALLIANCE, we’re able to reach those who are really struggling and provide much needed energy advice. Through building strong connections we can help vulnerable households get much needed help.”

As a celebration of a decade of the Links Worker programme, there will be an event held at the Glasgow Women’s Library on Friday 23 August. This event will honour the growth of the programme from a pilot in 2014 working in seven Deep End practices to encompass 80 GP practices in Glasgow and 16 in West Dunbartonshire. This event will bring together Community Links Practitioners, GPs and practice staff, and members of the community to share their experiences and highlight partnerships created such as the one with SGN.

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