The Cadent Foundation has announced that it has extended its successful partnership with Act on Energy, thanks to a new grant worth more than £700,000.
The programme that has already helped almost 700 Birmingham households with specialist energy advice and efficiency measures will be extended for a further two years.
Act on Energy helps people returning from hospital to stay warm, safe and well, reducing the risk of avoidable readmission. It operates a Home Energy Extra Service for patients across Birmingham’s hospitals, thanks to a close partnership with Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.
The programme employs Complex Caseworkers who support vulnerable people living with poor health by helping them address energy usage and debt, and housing-related issues.
Support is generally given face to face, with home visits arranged to understand the conditions and issues facing each household. Support under the programme varies depending on the circumstances of the household, but can include damp and mould advice, investigating poor housing conditions, advocating on the householder’s behalf with energy companies and landlord-related difficulties, as well as offering boiler servicing and repairs. Additionally, eligible individuals receive one-to-one benefits advice to help improve financial stability and independence.
As the West Midlands continues to have the highest rate of fuel poverty in England, the new grant will ensure our critical support continues, helping the programme reach some of Birmingham’s most marginalised households. In doing so, it aims to address the link between colder homes and poor health, reducing pressures on community healthcare services across the city.
Since launching in 2024, the programme has helped almost 700 households achieve combined financial gains of around £1.9 million.
Paul Flower, Project Manager at Act on Energy, said: We are delighted that our work with The Cadent Foundation will continue for at least another two years. The programme has already made a significant difference to the finances of so many households in Birmingham, helping people to save money on their energy bills and improving their overall outcomes. We are all dedicated to addressing the link between poor housing and health, and this funding helps us to continue that work.
The Cadent Foundation was established in 2019 and helps people find long-term solutions to fuel poverty. Funded by Cadent, the Foundation has awarded more than £28m in grants to local and national charities. Its partners provide practical support, energy advice and energy-saving measures to help people in vulnerable situations stay safe, warm and well in their homes.
Ranjit Blythe, Managing Director of the Cadent Foundation, said: We’re proud to be extending our partnership with Act on Energy for another two years with our latest grant. It was important for us to ensure this support can continue because it is helping people stay warm, well and independent in their homes, while reducing the pressure on local health services. This programme has already made a significant difference to hundreds of households across Birmingham, and this additional grant will extend that impact even further.
