British Gas Energy Trust awards seven figure grants to community organisations

Seventeen community organisations throughout England, Scotland and Wales have been awarded grants totalling more than seven figures, to deliver money and energy support projects over the next 18 months.

The funding has been provided by the British Gas Energy Trust – an independent charitable trust that supports families and individuals facing financial hardship and energy debt, directly and through local money and energy advice services and charities.

The Trust completed a nationwide mapping exercise to identify the parts of the population most in need of extra help with the rising cost of living, from communities on the Western Isles of Scotland to those on the Kent Coast. Two of the partner organisations to receive funding, focus on women and single parents.

Many of the organisations to receive grants intend to use the money to employ additional money and energy advisors, to extend the reach of their work in the most vulnerable parts of their catchment areas.

Advice services cover in-person, telephone, online and email support, with the aim to intervene early to prevent further debt increases and the associated impact on local people’s mental and physical health.

Interventions could be energy efficiency advice and steps to take around the home, fast-tracking boiler repairs and replacements for low-income households in a no-heat situation, supporting applications for emergency fuel vouchers, and more.

Jessica Taplin, CEO of the British Gas Energy Trust, said: “The rising cost of living means more people are experiencing financial difficulty for the first time, and are struggling to pay their bills. Whether you’re with British Gas or another energy supplier, it’s important to know that there is help available to you. You can apply to us direct or access support via the local projects we work with.”

Since the start of the cost-of-living crisis, Centrica – the parent company of British Gas – has put together a support package for households worth more than £25m, which will continue to grow. This funding includes grants paid to 17 advice centres across England, Scotland and Wales.

For more information about the British Gas Energy Trust, to find out about the support that’s available, and to apply for a grant, visit https://britishgasenergytrust.org.uk/.

Full list of organisations to receive funding from the British Gas Energy Trust