Cadent, the UK’s largest gas distribution network, has partnered with YMCA England and Wales as part of its commitment to tackling fuel poverty and supporting the most vulnerable nationwide.

With fuel poverty hitting many households and affecting so many individuals and families, Cadent has funded a new two-year-long ‘Safe and Well Communities Project,’ to support those in crisis. For YMCA Burton, this has included providing slow cookers for residents at its sites, to help with cooking in a more energy efficient way, providing carbon monoxide alarms and also offering training to staff on energy efficiency and financial management.

Last week, YMCA Burton welcomed Cadent colleagues from its Burton-on-Trent depot, to have a look around its services at Reconnect, the Adult Homeless Centre.

Emma Turnbull, the Safeguarding and Community Partnerships lead at Cadent, said: “It was great to see the amazing work that YMCA is doing within Burton-on-Trent, supporting people living in vulnerable situations. The passion from all the YMCA staff was heart-warming and we’re incredibly proud to be in partnership with such a remarkable charity.”

The demand on YMCA Burton’s facilities has increased dramatically as the cost-of-living crisis continues to impact the local community. Services such as the foodbank are seeing the highest emergency food parcel distribution rate than ever before in its 23-year history, with other services such as Family Mediation, having a waiting list for the first time.

Visiting from YMCA England and Wales was Aaron Flemons, its Business Development Officer, who said: “Firstly, I would like to thank everyone at YMCA Burton for arranging and hosting this visit, as well as being so welcoming to myself and our guests from Cadent. Having the opportunity to visit YMCA Burton with members of the Cadent team, to experience first-hand the great work, is a fantastic way to begin our national partnership. The energy and compassion Paul and his team have for their community is contagious, and inspired the Cadent staff in attendance. I look forward to seeing what future local collaborations arise between YMCA Burton and Cadent after such an engaging and inspiring visit.”

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.

CEO of YMCA Burton, Paul Laffey, said: ‘It was great to welcome Cadent Staff and Engineers to the YMCA.  As a follow-up to the National Partnership of YMCA England & Wales with Cadent, we decided to invite a few of its local team to have a look around, introducing the services offered at our YMCA.  Our staff also gave a tour of our Reconnect Adult Homeless Centre, which included meeting the team, seeing our foodbank in operation, showcasing a resident’s home and receiving a presentation from Peter, our Family Mediator.  Our team is very passionate about our work, and it was great to see that same passion with our Cadent visitors.   We discussed collaboration, and future working in partnership.   I’m very grateful for the time and commitment the Cadent team has provided to the YMCA.   Cadent’s contribution will enable the YMCA to impact the lives of many vulnerable people for years to come.’

-ENDS-

Photo: Staff from YMCA Burton, YMCA England and Wales and Cadent at Reconnect.

About Burton and District YMCA

The YMCA is the largest and oldest youth charity in the world. We believe that all young people deserve to have a safe place to live and the opportunity to reach their full potential. In Burton and the surrounding we are working to:

• Prevent youth homelessness by helping families to resolve conflicts and by sharing with young people the realities of living away from home
• Provide rooms or flats for young people who leave home, giving them the support they need
• Offer temporary emergency rooms for adults of any age who face homelessness, plus support to change their situation
• Provide emergency food for those with none
• Pass on donated furniture and tested electrical goods at remarkably affordable prices throughout Burton, Derby and South Derbyshire
• Encourage tolerance and dialogue between local people from different cultures and faiths

The Burton YMCA’s charity core work and principal activities are to benefit the public and communities through Supported Housing, Outreach, Foodbank, Chaplaincy, Family Mediation, Furniture Re-distribution and Counselling.

More details about Burton upon Trent YMCA can be found at www.burtonymca.org.

Cadent

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.

Future of Gas: 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.

Cadent manages the national gas emergency service free phone line on behalf of the gas industry – 0800 111 999*

Cadent Gas Ltd is owned by a consortium of global investors.

*All calls are recorded and may be monitored.