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More cash for Barnet charities to help people stuck in ‘heat or eat’ trap

The charities will have access to funds for food and energy vouchers 

A radiator in a cold looking room
Photo by Roger Bradshaw on Unsplash

Groundwork and the Trussell Trust in Barnet have received a boost to the support they can offer people having to make desperate ‘heating or eating’ choices this winter thanks to a new national £2m fund provided by The Cadent Foundation.

The Winter Support Fund, provided by The Cadent Foundation, will enable Groundwork and the Trussell Trust Chipping Barnet to offer food and energy vouchers to people they are working with who are living in the most vulnerable situations. Each household can receive up to two vouchers, with the option of also having up to £100 to spend on essential heating and cooking appliances, such as heated blankets, slow cookers and air fryers.

The new fund comes as research by Opinion Matters reveals that almost all (89%) UK adults with a household income of £29,500 or less are finding it challenging to cover their household bills. Two-fifths said they are struggling with energy bills and do not know where to turn. 

The new fund is designed to help charities offering energy and money guidance to have rapid access to additional financial resources, helping to make an immediate impact for people needing extra support. The funding boost will be available to ten charity partners that Cadent Foundation already works with nationally between December and March and has the potential to support thousands of homes across the country who are really struggling this winter.

Ranjit Blythe, Managing Director of the Cadent Foundation, said: “As part of our focus on tackling fuel poverty, the Cadent Foundation has strong partnerships with incredible charities offering energy efficiency and money management advice, together with practical energy saving interventions.

“We know these are making a real difference in the communities we work in, to drive long-term change. However, we also know that the situation for many who are living in the most vulnerable situations is desperate, and due to the ongoing cost of living challenges, this is not expected to change any time soon. Therefore, we wanted to empower our charity partners who are working in the communities daily, to be able to make an immediate difference to people when they need it the most.

“With the number of people living in fuel poverty sitting at 6.3 million this year, according to National Energy Action, we  know this fund won’t provide the much-needed long-term solution for tackling this issue. But hopefully, by giving charities the option to make a quick financial impact, it will make the decision on whether to eat or heat their homes, a little easier for people this winter.” 

The Cadent Foundation was established in July 2019 by Cadent, the UK’s largest gas distribution company. It has committed 1 per cent of annual post tax profits each year to the Foundation and aims to help households find sustainable solutions to fuel poverty and ensure people are safe and warm in their homes. They work with charitable organisations to help households improve their financial wellbeing and become more energy efficient through advice, support and practical measures. 


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