YMCA, a national charity committed to supporting young people in their time of need, is thrilled to announce a ground-breaking new partnership with Cadent, the UK’s largest gas distribution network.
As part of its commitment to tackling fuel poverty and supporting the most vulnerable, Cadent has given almost £300k to fund a new ‘Safe and Well Communities Project’, which aims to enhance YMCA’s existing support for young people and families. The initiative will see Cadent training YMCA Housing Workers that support young people; to provide practical advice on energy efficiency, financial management, and safety during the transition from YMCA-supported housing to independent living.
Denise Hatton, Chief Executive of YMCA England & Wales, said, "We are incredibly excited about this partnership with Cadent. By combining our expertise and resources, we have a unique opportunity to make a profound difference in the lives of those affected by the insecurity of relentlessly rising prices.
“Young people are facing a significantly challenging financial landscape as they struggle through the cost-of-living crisis. With outgoings outpacing income, many are finding it increasingly difficult to achieve financial stability and plan for their future. Together with Cadent, we can empower individuals and build stronger, healthier communities."
Philip Burrows, Head of Customer Vulnerability Social Programme Delivery at Cadent, added: “As a brand, YMCA remains one of the most trusted and iconic in the country, particularly within the younger demographic. Therefore, this new partnership will be an important part of our strategy in targeting important energy and financial awareness support where it is needed the most. Sadly, no one has escaped the impact of the past few years, but when it comes to people in vulnerable situations, they have been the ones to take the brunt – so any additional help must be carefully targeted and delivered to ensure it will have the maximum impact.”
Fuel poverty remains a persistent issue affecting millions of people across the UK, particularly those on low incomes. Through this unique collaboration, YMCA and Cadent will work hand in hand to address this challenge head-on, making a meaningful impact on the lives of those most affected. In addition, YMCA will conduct slow cooking workshops for more than 5,000 young people using slow cookers provided by Cadent. This initiative promotes healthy eating on a budget and will occur in youth centres and housing facilities – YMCA is the largest provider of supported housing, with more than 9,000 beds offered each night.
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Cadent is the UK’s largest gas distribution network with a 200-year legacy. We are in a unique position to build on strong foundations whilst encouraging the curiosity to think differently and the courage to embrace change. Day to day we continue to operate, maintain and innovate the UK’s largest gas network, transporting gas safely and protecting people in an emergency. Our skilled engineers and specialists remain committed to the communities we serve, working day and night to ensure gas reaches 11 million homes from Cumbria to North London and the Welsh Borders to East Anglia, to keep your energy flowing.
Here at Cadent we support the Government’s plans to reach Net Zero by 2050. That means we’re backing the introduction of hydrogen as a low carbon alternative to natural gas for the future. We know people love the controllability of gas and, with our network already in place, it makes sense to switch to the lower carbon alternative offered by hydrogen, which we believe can keep homes and businesses warm for generations to come.
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