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

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.
End of page.
You may also like:
The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) is looking for Public Partners to help them assess funding applications.
Continue readingThis year marks the halfway point from when the promise was made, to when it needs to be kept.
Continue readingThe GIRFE Team Around The Person Toolkit has been launched, designed to support a more individualised approach to health and social care.
Continue readingThe ALLIANCE welcomes the proposed strategy, though a Human Rights Bill is necessary for full effect.
Continue readingInspiring Scotland has launched a a Scottish Government Learning Disability Support Fund.
Continue readingObesity Action Scotland wants to stop unhealthy food sponsorship at Scottish sports events including the 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games.
Continue readingResidents of Leith’s famous Banana Flats (Cables Wynd House) have launched their human rights monitoring report.
Continue readingThe Scottish Human Rights Commission (SHRC) report finds troubling failures in progress from institutionalisation to independent living.
Continue readingThe updated SPSO Principles demonstrate a positive shift towards putting people and their human rights at the centre of complaints handling.
Continue readingBowel Cancer UK have a team of awareness volunteers based across Scotland who deliver free bowel cancer awareness talks.
Continue readingThe Mental Welfare Commission calls for urgent changes so people with learning disability and complex needs can leave hospital and flourish.
Continue readingOrganisations across the third sector and health and social care are being invited to sign up for a new forum launched to tackle isolation.
Continue readingThe ALLIANCE submission focuses on the wellbeing economy and fair finances, health and social care reform, and human rights.
Continue readingEvery Tuesday the Discover Digital team at the ALLIANCE shares a free and trusted digital tool that supports health and wellbeing.
Continue readingMinister announces parts of the National Care Service Bill will be dropped due to a lack of compromise and support.
Continue readingThe Open University is looking for respondents to their survey exploring the gender pain gap.
Continue readingThe Scotland Reducing Gambling Harm programme informed a Systems Map to understand local experiences of gambling harm.
Continue readingThe paper is the result of feedback highlighting this as an important yet under-explored area.
Continue readingAre you aged 55+, living in the UK, and interested in supporting new research?
Continue readingDisability Information Scotland offer training courses designed to help you ensure your online information is accessible to everyone.
Continue readingThis year’s campaign is ‘get comfortable and start talking about mental health’.
Continue readingWe have submitted a parallel report to the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights for its examination of rights in the UK.
Continue readingThe ALLIANCE welcome the aims of widening access to palliative care, but actions must be underpinned by resources and accountability.
Continue readingGWT have a new package of support available for people interested in or involved in delivering intergenerational work with school pupils.
Continue readingALLIANCE Members came together to connect, share experience, and discuss key issues facing those with learning disabilities across Scotland.
Continue reading