Cadent reaches 350 Centres for Warmth in poignant milestone

• Evolve Nottingham CIC becomes Cadent’s 350th Centre for Warmth, as fuel poverty and cost-of-living challenges continue.
• Half of adults living in low-income households consider themselves to be living in fuel poverty, with 20 per cent confirming use of a food bank in the past 12 months.
• From Blackpool to Slough, over 700,000 people have visited a Centre for Warmth since 2021 to receive energy and money management advice.

Cadent, the UK’s largest gas distribution network, has announced the opening of its 350th Centre for Warmth, a nationwide programme set up to support those living in the most vulnerable situations impacted by the cost-of-living crisis.

Evolve Nottingham CIC is the latest Centre for Warmth to join the programme, which was launched in 2021 to support low-income households with practical and hands-on advice. Each centre works with Cadent to ensure visitors receive the help they need regarding energy efficiency, including debt and benefits entitlement advice. Investment in the initiative has now reached over £13 million, with centres reaching as far north as Blackpool, down to Slough in London.

This latest milestone follows new research which highlights the extent of the cost of living crisis in the UK. One in four (24%) people living in low-income households feel they are unable to cover their bills, while half (50%) consider themselves to be living in fuel poverty.

One in five (20%) have used a food bank in the past 12 months, with 21 per cent admitting that while they haven’t received any government support in the past, they now feel they need it. What’s more, over two fifths (42%) think it is likely that they’ll need support to pay their bills beyond the existing government support currently available.

The need for the Centre for Warmth programme was further highlighted this winter, when below-average UK temperatures were recorded. In January, temperatures averaged just 3°C for the month – a drop of almost one degree on the UK average. Cadent also saw record numbers of people visiting its centres across the country last winter looking for support.

Gary Bulmer, Director of Operations at Evolve Nottingham CIC: “Receiving the funding from Cadent to become a Centre for Warmth will allow us to provide visitors with vital support, including energy and debt advice, as well as benefit entitlement checks. Hundreds of local residents rely on our facilities each week. Through this new partnership with Cadent, we are able to broaden the support we offer and help people navigate the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.”

As well as being a warm space for those living in vulnerable situations, the centres play a key role in helping those feeling lonely and isolated, offering a safe space to meet others in the community. Cadent runs the Centre for Warmth programme through Ofgem’s Vulnerability and Carbon Monoxide Allowance (VCMA), with investment in the programme surpassing £13m.

Since its inception, over 700,000 people have visited a Centre for Warmth, while over 136,000 people have been offered energy efficiency advice. Cadent has also distributed over 38,000 carbon monoxide alarms for free across the centres, while 16,500 people have signed up to the Priority Services Register.

Phil Burrows, Head of Customer Vulnerability & Social Purpose at Cadent, said: “Today’s milestone announcement marks a poignant day of reflection for Cadent. We are, of course, incredibly proud of the Centre for Warmth programme and all it has achieved. It has helped us reach those most vulnerable in the communities in which we serve, providing much-needed help to hundreds of thousands of people.

“However, the programme’s growth should serve as a reminder of how many people are struggling to live independently and safely in their own homes. Throughout the cost-of-living crisis, we have been committed to helping our customers living in the most vulnerable situations and will continue supporting such fantastic causes with our funding from Ofgem.”

To find out more about the Centre for Warmth programme, please visit: https://cadentgas.com/social-responsibility/centres-for-warmth

ENDS