Independent Age, described by SGN as the national charity for older people in financial hardship, has partnered with the gas distribution company SGN to support vulnerable older households in southern England until 20261. The announcement was published by SGN on 26 February 20251.
The partnership has four stated aims: to raise awareness of carbon monoxide (CO) safety and provide 5,000 free CO alarms to households most at risk of harm; to encourage eligible households to sign up for the Priority Services Register; to raise awareness of financial support available to older people; and to train Independent Age's grantee network of local charities to raise awareness of CO in their communities1. The Priority Services Register is described as a free service that ensures people receive extra support during a gas emergency, power cut or water supply interruption1.
The free alarms can be claimed by following the guidance on leaflets distributed in high priority areas by Independent Age, and each alarm will be sent out with an information pack detailing the support available to people facing financial hardship in later life1. SGN distributes gas to six million homes and businesses across southern England and Scotland, and Independent Age is the latest organisation to join SGN's partnership network aiming to help 500,000 vulnerable customers use energy safely, efficiently and affordably by 20261.
Joanna Elson CBE, Chief Executive at Independent Age, said:
"We are thrilled to partner with SGN on this campaign to ensure older people can live in safe and warm homes. Many people in later life face energy and fuel poverty, which not only increases health risks but also raises the danger of carbon monoxide poisoning."
Janet Duggan, Community Partnership Manager at SGN, said the company was committed to keeping communities safe and warm, adding that older people in financial hardship are "uniquely impacted by higher than average energy costs"1.
With around two million older people living in poverty, the partnership will also provide direct support through the Independent Age Helpline, where advisers will give information and advice on energy safeguarding, support with applying for benefit entitlements like Pension Credit, and help eligible people sign up to the Priority Services Register1. One caller, Jean, said the Attendance Allowance process took about 12 weeks and that she was successful1.
| Element | Detail |
|---|---|
| Free CO alarms | 5,000 |
| Area covered | Southern England |
| Duration | Until 2026 |
| SGN network target | 500,000 vulnerable customers by 2026 |
| Older people in poverty (as cited) | Around two million |
Why it matters for households
Carbon monoxide is produced by faulty or poorly maintained gas appliances and is not detectable by sight or smell, so an alarm is the main warning a household gets. For older people in financial hardship, the risks compound: SGN states that higher than average energy costs hit this group hardest, and Independent Age links energy and fuel poverty to both health risks and a greater danger of CO poisoning1. The advice element of the partnership covers energy safeguarding and benefit entitlements such as Pension Credit, which can affect what a household can afford to spend on heating. Signing up to the Priority Services Register matters during a gas emergency, power cut or water interruption, when extra support is provided1. For households in this group, the practical effect is a safer home and, where entitlements are claimed, more money available for energy.
What happens next
The partnership runs until 20261. Alarms are claimed through guidance on leaflets distributed in high priority areas by Independent Age, and the training of Independent Age's grantee network of local charities forms part of the programme1. No further dated milestones have been reported.