Our partnership with SGN

Why we're working together

We are working with SGN to help households across the south of England to maintain safe and warm homes.

In the UK, around 1.9 million older people are living in poverty, often struggling to afford basics such as food and energy bills.

At the same time, many older people aren’t aware of the support available to help them with essential household costs, such as Pension Credit. Billions of pounds in benefits go unclaimed by older people each year.

We’ve partnered with gas distribution network operator SGN to keep older people safe and warm at home.

Through our awareness-raising campaign and one-to-one support, we’re helping vulnerable, low-income older households across the south of England to maintain a safe and warm home. We’re addressing both immediate safety concerns, as well as long-term energy efficiency and financial resilience.

Project objectives

  • Raise awareness of carbon monoxide safety and provide 5,000 free carbon monoxide alarms to households most at risk of harm;
  • Encourage eligible households to sign up for the Priority Services Register, a free service that ensures people receive extra support during a gas emergency, power cut or water supply interruption;
  • Raise awareness of the financial support available to older people;
  • Train Independent Age's grantee network on CO Safety to raise awareness of CO in their local communities.

Joanna Elson CBE, Chief Executive of Independent Age, said:  

"We are thrilled to partner with SGN on this campaign to ensure older people can live in safe and warm homes. Many people in later life face energy and fuel poverty, which not only increases health risks but also raises the danger of carbon monoxide poisoning. Together with SGN, we can support more older people to access financial entitlements and resources, enabling them to live safely and happily."

With around 2 million older people living in poverty, the partnership will also provide direct support to older people through the Independent Age Helpline. Advisers will provide information and advice on energy safeguarding, support with applying for benefit entitlements like Pension Credit, and help eligible people sign up to the Priority Services Register.