Press Release: New Funded Partnership
New partnership funded by SGN to help keep Rushmoor households switched on this winter
PRESS RELEASE Date: 13/02/2025
Citizens Advice Rushmoor are delighted to announce a new partnership, entitled ‘Switched On’, with gas distribution network SGN to address fuel poverty amongst some of the most marginalised communities in North East Hampshire, providing vital utility support services to over 1,000 households between now and April 2026.
SGN will provide support to help Citizens Advice Rushmoor alleviate the financial strain of energy costs, offer practical assistance, and build long-term resilience in local communities across Aldershot and Farnborough.
Millions of households are still struggling with their energy, and many are burdened with unsustainable energy debts built up over recent years. Energy problems are now the most common types of issues Citizens Advice help people with, with 2023 the highest on record. The long-term impact of the crisis is showing, with energy debt now the most common type of debt people come to them for help with.
The reality is that the problem is becoming more entrenched and we’re facing the downstream effects of a cost of living crisis. It’s surfacing as greater energy debt and this is spiralling into other parts of people’s lives, whether that’s problems with debts in other markets, reliance on food banks or housing crises. Citizens Advice advisors tell us that the problems they see on the ground are getting more complicated to fix. They also see more personal vulnerabilities emerging, such as increasing mental health problems.
To mark the launch of this partnership, representatives from SGN and Citizens Advice Rushmoor recently visited Gurkha Ama Samuha, an Aldershot-based senior citizens group for Nepali women. They heard from participants about the difference Citizens Advice Rushmoor’s Nepali Language Services already make to their community, and about what new support will be available to help them keep safe and warm this winter as a result of the partnership.
Commenting on her visit, SGN’s Community Partnerships Manager Janet Duggan said…
“We’re delighted to be partnering with Citizens Advice Rushmoor to provide essential energy support and safeguarding services to marginalised communities in Northeast Hampshire. Citizens Advice Rushmoor are seeing firsthand the impact the cost-of-living crisis is having on those with families struggling to afford to maintain a safe and warm home. It was a real pleasure to attend the Nepali Women’s senior citizens group in Aldershot and to be able to talk about our commitment to supporting households to use energy safely, efficiently and affordably in their homes. I was very honoured to be presented with a traditional scarf from two of the community, a tradition for people who are invited to attend their group”.
Citizens Advice Rushmoor’s Chief Executive, Calum Stewart said, “Building on our existing work through SGN’s Safe and Warm Community Scheme, this new partnership will enable our team of expert energy advisers to continue meeting the needs of some of Rushmoor’s hardest to reach groups, such as those in some of the highest areas for income deprivation amongst the over 60s in the whole of the South East – with one area locally the single highest nationally.”
“Through outreach and engagement in collaboration with community partners across Aldershot and Farnborough, and securing referral pathways for some of our most marginalised individuals and families, SGN’s welcome investment in our person-centred and holistic approach to energy advice will help alleviate fuel poverty amongst our most vulnerable households – leaving a lasting legacy within the communities we are proud to serve.”
NEA’s latest figures from July 2024 show 5.6 million English households are in fuel poverty. That fuel poverty is being driven by energy efficiency, energy costs and household income. It is recognised that nearly half of low-income households are still living in hard to heat homes, and the rate of improvements was well below what is needed to lift people out of fuel poverty by a target date of 2030. In that same 2024 NEA YouGov polling, it was found that 49% of households turned the heating off even though it was cold in the house, 43% of adults had gone to bed early to stay warm and 13% of households had used appliances like ovens to stay warm.
This new partnership will also help enable Citizens Advice Rushmoor to provide essential safety support, training, and upskilling workshops to help people facing fuel poverty stay safe and warm. SGN’s resources and expertise will create a positive impact by reducing financial stress and supporting energy efficiency.