Age UK Oxfordshire partners with SGN to support older people in Oxfordshire in staying safe and warm

We are delighted to announce a new partnership with SGN, aimed at providing essential support to older people and their carers, to ensure that they can stay safe and warm in their homes.

With the rising cost of living putting immense pressure on many households, this partnership will focus on delivering vital information, entitlements and tools. SGN, a leading gas distribution company, will work closely with us to offer practical assistance and resources.

Key initiatives of the partnership include:

• Community Outreach: Organising community events and workshops to raise awareness about energy efficiency and safety.
  
  
• Carbon monoxide (CO) safety: Raising awareness of the dangers of CO and distributing free carbon monoxide detectors.
  
  
• Benefits and entitlements advice: Providing in-depth advice to those living with dementia and their carers.
  
  
• Safety devices: Sharing information about a free gas safety device primarily for those living with dementia.
  
  
• The Priority Services Register: Ensuring all eligible older people are signed up to the register so that they receive priority support in the event of a power, water or gas outage.
  
  
• Home improvement information: Linking people into support service Better Housing Better Health for information about how they can make their homes both warmer and more energy efficient.

Paul Ringer, our CEO, said: “This new partnership with SGN is extremely timely, given the government decision to restrict winter fuel payments to only those on certain benefits. With many older people and carers feeling extreme pressures around the cost of living, it’s vital that we’re able to support people to access the information, entitlements and tools available so that they can stay safe and warm in their homes.”

SGN’s Community Partnership Manager, Janet Duggan, added: “We are proud to partner with Age UK Oxfordshire to help older people in the Oxfordshire community, providing this essential energy support and safeguarding service. Age UK Oxfordshire are seeing firsthand the impact the cost-of-living crisis is having and through their work, they’ll support households ahead of winter to use energy safely, efficiently and affordably. By working together, we can make a real difference in ensuring that everyone has the support they need to stay safe and warm.”

The new partnership was launched at one of our memory cafés on 9^th October and those attending the event were enthusiastic about the support. One lady who attended hadn’t been aware that carbon monoxide detectors have an expiration date and was extremely pleased to receive a free replacement to help her and her husband, who lives with dementia, stay safe.  

To access support, please email contactus@ageukoxfordshire.org.uk or contact our helpline on 0345 450 1276.