Centre for Warmth supports Oldham community this winter with practical support and advice

A new Centre for Warmth for Oldham is opening in January 2023 to help people save money on their bills and use energy more efficiently. 

The new facility - to be managed by local charity UK Education and Faith Foundation (UKEFF) - will provide the Oldham community with access to expert advisors who can help with income maximisation, financial assistance with energy bills, as well as energy efficiency, and gas safety advice.  

This is one of several community projects supported by Cadent, which manages the local gas network in Greater Manchester, to assist people who may be vulnerable to fuel poverty, loneliness and isolation or risk of exposure to carbon monoxide.

Each project is aimed at meeting the needs of the local community. 

The centres aim to support over 4,000 people in Greater Manchester this winter. 

Cadent has invested nearly £140,000 from its Vulnerability and Carbon Monoxide Allowance to help fund the Centres for Warmth projects in Greater Manchester.

This fund is agreed by energy regulator Ofgem to support Cadent in helping those in need. 

In Oldham, the new centre will be managed by UKEFF and based at Charity Begins at Home on Yorkshire Street. 

UKEFF began in 2008 and became a charity in 2013.  

The charity caters for everyone and aims to address issues such as fuel and food poverty, domestic violence and offers social and mental health and wellbeing support. 

Nasim Ashraf, the Chair of the Trustees for UKEFF, said: “The fuel crisis is causing a lot of anxiety within the community - we are getting calls every day from people who are worried about whether to put the heating on or eat.  

“Cadent is providing funding to support people and we are working with them to set up sessions to provide advice and support around energy bills. 

“Our centre will provide a safe space where we can support vulnerable members of the local community assistance during what could be a difficult winter.

"By sharing advice about energy saving tips and directing people to the financial support they may be entitled to, our Centre could make a big difference.” 

Other community projects managed through the Centres for Warmth include linking up with local schools to deliver gas safety education programmes, as well as running themed events throughout the year, such as energy efficiency advice sessions and cookery lessons showcasing cost-efficient recipes.  

In addition, Cadent has invested over £100,000 in its ‘Services Beyond the Meter’ programme to support people across the North West region as part of its Fuel Poverty and Financial Hardship programme.

This helps to safely restore the gas supply to appliances condemned as unsafe in the homes of customers in vulnerable situations. 

This month, Cadent has launched a new national campaign sharing practical tips for using energy more efficiently around the house that could see typical households save over £200 a year on their energy bills.  

Working with partners including the Energy Saving Trust, Cadent is sharing the following advice:    

Turning down the heating thermostat by just one degree could save you £145 on energy bills every year. To help keep you safe and well, your thermostat should be set between 18-21°C. 

Switching off lights and appliances when not in use could save £90 on energy bills per year. Turning off lights when you’re not using them or when you leave a room could save you around £25 a year and switching appliances such as TVs, computers and games consoles off standby mode could save you £65 a year. 

Putting a lid on the pan while cooking on a gas hob can save money on your energy bills this year. Water will boil faster and the lid keeps the heat in the pan, rather than letting it escape, speeding up cooking time and helping you use less energy. 

More energy saving tips and advice from Cadent and its partners are at: www.saving-energy.co.uk 

Jenny Moten, Director of Network, North West, Cadent, said: “As well as providing practical support for the most vulnerable people in our North West community, we’re committed to helping all families and individuals save money on their energy bills, while staying safe and well.

"By making small changes to use energy more efficiently around the home, these can add up to real savings on energy bills which is a big concern for many households right now.” 

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