Northern Powergrid partners with Live Inclusive to support vulnerable customers in Doncaster

Live Inclusive, a registered charity working hand-in-hand with organisations and individuals since 1995, provides a wide range of support and specialist services for disabled people.

This includes benefits, energy efficiency and enabling services such as finding local events, clubs or activities to enhance social and community integration, to advice on how to join Priority Services schemes, accessing warm home discounts, and learning more about cold weather payments and winter fuel allowances.

Complementing the network operator’s Force for Good initiative, which gives back to the communities it serves, the partnership with Live Inclusive will support Northern Powergrid to ensure that help and advice about benefits and income maximisation, which is a crucial part of tackling fuel poverty, gets to the people that need it most.

Louise Lowes, Northern Powergrid’s Director of Customer Service said: “Disability benefits are infamously some of the hardest to claim. Working with Live Inclusive helps our customers access support to make sure they are getting everything they are entitled to, reducing their risk of being in fuel poverty by increasing their income.

"Live Inclusive also ensures that their clients are signed up to our free Priority Services Membership, which provides extra support and peace of mind during a power cut.

“This partnership, and many others, supports our Kitemark accreditation with the British Standards Institution (BSI) for Inclusive Service Provision for Vulnerable Customers and by forging high quality partnerships that meet the diverse needs of vulnerable people we can ensure customers have access to support before, during or after, a planned or unplanned power cut or a network related emergency.”

Ellen Shipley, Live Inclusive Chief Executive Officer said: “Live Inclusive is a charity supporting disabled people and those living with long-term health conditions. Our aim is to help them live their lives as independently as possible and making sure they have the choice, control and correct information and guidance to do so.

“We’re delighted to partner with Northern Powergrid and help customers living in Doncaster to access our services when it matters most. As well as social and enabling support, our team can help customers join Northern Powergrid’s free Priority Service scheme, get help with their energy bills and give advice about benefits, grants and funding for improved financial security and increased confidence over their daily lives.”

Live Inclusive supports customers living in Doncaster and a high proportion of their staff and volunteers have disabilities or long-term health conditions, with many of the Live Inclusive Board also having a lived experience of disability. In 2022/23 Live Inclusive helped customers tap into over £220,000 worth of unclaimed benefits and supported customers to save over £50,000 by sharing advice to switch to LED lightbulbs.

Customers living in Doncaster wanting to find out more and access support can visit: liveinclusive.org.uk or call 01302 592 400.

For more information about Northern Powergrid’s partnerships and support visit www.northernpowergrid.com/force-for-good or www.northernpowergrid.com/psrpartners.