Cadent Foundation Grants £1.5 million to the Trussell Trust to Help People Break Free from Poverty

The Trussell Trust, which supports a network of food banks across the UK, has been awarded a £1.5 million grant from the Cadent Foundation.

The grant, which has been announced as part of a new three-year partnership with the Cadent Foundation, will be used to support the charities’ work to tackle destitution by increasing people’s incomes. 

The Trussell Trust’s income maximisation programme supports food banks to offer advice for people in person and over the phone, to help them access benefits and grants they are entitled to but not already claiming. This new funding will support the creation of sustainable services needed locally and help make sure people have enough money for the essentials.

This winter, food banks in the Trussell Trust network are expecting to give out a food parcel every 9 seconds – and 670,000 more people in the UK are at risk of facing destitution, unable to afford the basics like food, shelter, heating.

Emma Revie, Chief Executive of the Trussell Trust, said:
 
“As we head into a winter forecast to be the busiest ever at food banks, we are so grateful to the Cadent Foundation for their support. Hunger in the UK isn’t about food, it’s about people not having enough money. That’s why this partnership will make such a difference - by helping food banks provide tailored advice and support that puts money back in the pockets of people who need it the most, it’ll help prevent people needing a food bank again. It’s not right that anyone needs to use a food bank, at any time of year. But this can change. This year has shown we can make huge changes to the way we live, work and support each other – we can build a hunger free future, a future where all of us can afford the basics.” 
 
Julia Dwyer, Director of the Cadent Foundation, said:

“The aim of the foundation is to make a positive and lasting difference to the communities Cadent serves and this project fits the bill perfectly.  This is a wonderful initiative focused on ending the need for food banks by providing practical support to people in crisis so that they can tackle the issues they’re facing.

“We’re delighted to support the Trussell Trust and look forward to working with them over the next three years to help people break free from poverty.”

For more information on the Trussell Trust, visit www.trusselltrust.org

Project secured funding that helps customers unable to afford repairs or replacements for their appliances 

Cadent Foundation has awarded a grant to National Energy Action, a fuel poverty and energy efficiency charity, to support the most vulnerable with repairs or replacements to their gas appliances.
Within the gas emergency industry, Cadent’s First Call Operatives (FCOs) respond to emergencies such as, gas escapes or carbon monoxide alarms and may have to disconnect a customer’s gas supply to make the property safe.
Customer’s on a low income or in a vulnerable situation are at times unable to afford to pay for the necessary repairs or replacement works. This can put people in situations without heating, hot water and cooking facilities for an indefinite amount of time.
Having identified this, the Reactive Response scheme allows the FCOs to refer people in vulnerable households to the programme which will arrange for repairs or replacements of gas appliances free of charge.
Feedback from the scheme has been positive and have customers frequently commented on how satisfied they were with the service they had received through Reactive Response:
 
“Without your help I would be in dire straits. I wouldn’t know what to do. I appreciate the support offered to me at a very vulnerable time. Thank you.”
“I'm so grateful for your help and the expertise of the workmen who fitted the new piece of gas pipe. I would not have known who to turn to or trust without your help.”
 
For more information about National Energy Action, the charity the foundation has chosen to support and its ambition to tackle fuel poverty go to their website https://www.nea.org.uk/

We’ve granted £100,000 to Royal Voluntary Service to support communities during the pandemic

For over 80 years, Royal Voluntary Service has inspired over 2 million people across the UK to volunteer their time to support their local communities. Originally founded in 1938 as the Women’s Voluntary Services for Air Raid Precautions, it is now the largest volunteering organisation in British history.

We recognised the support Royal Voluntary Service has been providing to those who need it during the coronavirus pandemic, especially by helping the NHS launch the NHS responders scheme. 

Sam Ward, Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Services, Royal Voluntary Service explains what this means, ‘Our services provide a lifeline to vulnerable older people in the community and in hospitals, but now, due to the outbreak of coronavirus in Britain, the need for our help has become even more vital. 

‘This very generous donation from the Cadent Foundation will enable us to support more vulnerable people during this crisis now and in the months to come through companionship calls, helping people access food and essential medication, delivering welfare checks and providing virtual social activities to keep people connected. We are determined that isolation shouldn’t mean coping alone.’

 
To find out more about the Royal Voluntary Service and what they are doing during this unprecedented time, visit https://www.royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk/

A new scheme that offers fully funded gas central heating systems to over 1000 homes

The ‘Connected for Warmth’ scheme will offer new gas central heating systems to households that need help with their energy bills. It will also offer a free connection to the gas main for homes that are currently without gas but that can benefit from affordable heat in their homes and hot water.
The grant from the Cadent Foundation will be used to install the latest energy efficient boilers to around 1000 homes. Its aims are to reduce bills, increase comfort in non-gas households, and improve health outcomes for residents.
The scheme will run across the entire area served by Cadent, the Gas Distribution Network Operator, which reaches most of the Midlands, the East of England, North London and the North West. This will support the most vulnerable of people in these areas who are living in fuel poverty and enable them to have a warm home.
The Connected for Warmth scheme is being managed by AgilityEco and has also received the endorsement of a number of local councils.

Households can find out more by visiting www.connectedforwarmth.org.uk or by calling 0800 029 4547.


 

After an incredibly challenging year for charities, the Cadent Foundation has awarded more than £4.8million to charitable organisations in its first year.
 
The Foundation has awarded 100 new grants to charities and organisations working across the North West, West Midlands, East of England and North London. Since January 2020, grants of between £1000 and £1.5million have been given to projects which support its core objectives - to help people living in vulnerable situations and energy poor communities; protect and preserve the natural environment and create a sustainable energy future for all.
 
These grants have supported a wide array of initiatives such as helping people increase their income and reduce energy bills, improving access to STEM careers and mentoring opportunities for young people, reducing social isolation through practical conservation projects, as well as research studies around green energy.  The Foundation also launched a COVID-19 Response Fund with a £240,000 emergency grant to the Trussell Trust to support food banks and £100,000 to the Royal Voluntary Service to aid its NHS Responder project.  In addition, up to £125,000 of small grants were given to charities and groups delivering to those most vulnerable in their local communities – supporting everything from food parcels, to pre-school starter packs and helping the homeless into temporary accommodation.
 
Julia Dwyer, Director of the Cadent Foundation, said: “The aim of the Cadent Foundation is to make a positive and lasting difference to the communities that Cadent serves, and we are proud of how far we’ve come in such a short time.   2020 has been challenging for everyone but more than ever, the events of the past 12 months have demonstrated how grants like ours offer a lifeline for charities working at the heart of our communities. 
 
“Throughout this difficult time the Foundation has remained steadfast in its commitment to deliver against our core objectives, but we’ve also we’ve adapted our strategy to help address areas of greatest need with the launch of our COVID-19 Response Fund.  As well as offering grants to small and medium grassroots charities, we’ve also secured national partnerships with organisations such as the Trussell Trust and Groundwork UK that will help drive long term change.”  
 
Trussell Trust, which supports a network of food banks across the UK, was awarded a £1.5 million grant from the Cadent Foundation for its income maximisation programme.  Emma Revie, Chief Executive of Trussell Trust, said: “As we head into a winter forecast to be the busiest ever at food banks, we are so grateful to the Cadent Foundation for their support. Hunger in the UK isn’t about food, it’s about people not having enough money. That’s why this partnership will make such a difference - by helping food banks provide tailored advice and support that puts money back in the pockets of people who need it the most, it’ll help prevent people needing a food bank again.”
 
With around 4 million UK households unable to afford to live in a warm, dry home, National Energy Action (NEA) is a national charity working to end fuel poverty. The Cadent Foundation awarded a £400,000 grant to roll out its Reactive Response project across Cadents networks as part of a one-year national trial. Adam Scorer, NEA Chief Executive commented: “NEA is delighted to be involved with the Reactive Response programme in partnership with Cadent Foundation. The programme identifies and assists some of the most vulnerable households in society. A Reactive Response intervention can greatly improve a household’s chance of achieving affordable warmth and has an enormous impact on the health, wellbeing, and quality of life of vulnerable householders.”
 
The Wildlife Trusts – a movement of 46 charities across the UK – was awarded £253,618 to enable the extension of wellbeing projects that are focused on connecting people with nature in deprived, urban areas. Patience Thody, Deputy CEO said: “We live in one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world, which is why The Wildlife Trusts is working to help wildlife recover and ensure nature is part of our everyday lives, with studies showing how this connection provides many benefits for us all.  We are thrilled that the funding from the Cadent Foundation will enable us to expand our vital work alongside communities to reverse the decline of nature, whilst helping people develop new skills, build relationships and play an important role in shaping their local wild places.”
 
Next year, the Cadent Foundation is looking to increase the amount of funding awarded, pledging up to £7million to support charities and organisations across its networks.  Julia Dwyer added: “As we enter 2021, we remain in uncertain times and the role of the Foundation has never been more important. There is clearly a huge amount of unmet need, and moving forward, we will continue to build on what we have achieved and work with charities and partners to explore how we can use our resources and expertise to maximise the positive impact we can have together.”
 

 

 

Cadent Foundation and Groundwork Join Forces with Free Winter Warmer Packs
 

The elderly and people living in vulnerable situations are being given extra support to stay warm and well during the winter months thanks to the Cadent Foundation and community action charity, Groundwork.
 
The Cadent Foundation has granted £40,000 to Groundwork, to create 2700 winter warmer packs for those most in need. The packs will be distributed via local food banks and community hubs in towns and cities across the UK. Each pack contains a range of items to help people keep warm this winter such as socks, gloves, hat, scarf, hot water bottle, blanket, thermal flask mug and energy saving lightbulbs.
 
Latest ONS figures revealed there were an estimated 28,300 excess winter deaths in England and Wales in 2019/20, 19.6% higher than the previous year. Respiratory diseases accounted for almost 40% of all excess winter deaths and according to fuel poverty charity National Energy Action, 8,500 were due to cold homes. 
 
Groundwork’s Green Doctors programme provides energy saving advice that helps people to keep warm, well, and save money by reducing energy bills. Graham Duxbury, National Chief Executive of Groundwork, said: “Around 4 million people in the UK are in fuel poverty, unable to afford to live in a warm, dry home. During the cold winter months, people are expected to use 30% more energy on average than they normally would. With more people at home, increased utility costs and unemployment rising due to the financial impact of the pandemic, more families will be experiencing extreme financial hardship as well as the emotional strain of keeping themselves and their loved ones well.  
 
“Fuel poverty is also a major factor in our ability to cope with disease.  Living in a dangerously cold home increases the risk of heart attacks, respiratory illness, pneumonia and affects mental health, which means finding cost effective ways of keeping people warm is essential.   Small changes can have a big impact and these winter warmer packs – backed up by practical advice from our Green Doctors - will help some of the most vulnerable in our society keep warm and well during the cold weather.” 
 
Julia Dwyer, Director of the Cadent Foundation, said: ““We’re delighted to be able to offer this grant to Groundwork to provide practical support to those who need it most. Many vulnerable households are facing even bleaker challenges as we head into winter and it’s reassuring to know these packs will help make a real difference at such a difficult time of year.
 
“This grant is just the first stage in a wider partnership between the Cadent Foundation and Groundwork, which will see the charity’s Green Doctor programme rolled out in numerous locations across the UK in 2021.”
 
For more information on Groundwork’s Green Doctors programme, together with tips and advice on keeping your home warm this winter, visit www.groundwork.org.uk