£1.5m Cadent fund to support Alzheimer’s Society in energy efficiency project

CADENT, the UK’s largest Gas Distribution Network, has announced a new partnership with Alzheimer’s Society.

Forming part of Cadent’s wider commitment to tackling fuel poverty and supporting people living in vulnerable situations, the £1.5m grant will be used to help ensure people living with dementia are supported with energy efficiency advice.

The funding will be used to deliver a two-year project, which will fund 20 community dementia advisor (CDA) roles across the UK. The CDAs will be trained to offer bespoke energy support to families living with dementia, including advice on income maximisation and benefit entitlement. Additionally, 315 dementia advisors will be upskilled to provide guidance and support via the national phoneline.

People living with dementia spend an average of 22 hours per day in their home, making them vulnerable to energy inefficiencies. In addition to the existing service delivered by Alzheimer’s Society to help people affected by dementia, Cadent’s funding will also enable Dementia Advisors to:

• Offer advice to relevant customers on how they can apply to the Priority Services Register (PSR).
• Raise awareness of carbon monoxide (CO).
• Share information on how to improve energy efficiency to save money and keep people safe and warm in the homes they love.
• Provide tailored advice on benefits.

The project aims to support up to 20,000 people affected by dementia, with Cadent also offering free gas safety checks for eligible households as part of the initiative.

Lizzie Pearl, Head of Corporate Partnerships at Alzheimer’s Society, said:

“One in three people born in the UK today will develop dementia in their lifetime, and it is currently the country’s biggest killer. Alzheimer’s Society provides hope for the future by campaigning to make dementia a priority and funding groundbreaking dementia research, innovation and care. There are thousands of people dealing with the realities of dementia without access to the vital services that are needed.

“We are incredibly grateful for the partnership with Cadent, with the company committed to supporting the services that we offer and help us to reach more people when they need us. Through the partnership, we will be able to fund vital roles and equip our teams with the information they need to support people affected by dementia.

“Through Cadent’s generous support, we can continue to make a real difference in the lives of those affected by dementia.”

Cadent will be supporting Alzheimer’s Society through Ofgem’s Vulnerability and Carbon Monoxide Allowance (VCMA) funding programme. Cadent uses the VCMA funding to provide critical and targeted support to fuel poor households, while raising awareness of the dangers surrounding CO.

Last November, Cadent and Alzheimer’s Society partnered to produce over 3,600 carbon monoxide and gas safety calendars. These were distributed to people living with dementia and their carers via Cadent’s Fire & Rescue Service partners across the UK, providing guidance on the actions required to stay safe and warm at home.

Phil Burrows, Head of Vulnerability at Cadent, said:

“We are committed to supporting people living in the most vulnerable situations across our communities, which is why this partnership is so important. It will enable the many families and individuals affected by dementia to receive essential energy efficiency advice and support, and hopefully through equipping people with important financial and safety advice, it will give them and their families one less thing to worry about. The new CDAs and dementia advisors will be trained and upskilled to give the most up-to-date information, including signposting to the Priority Services Register.”