Cadent, the largest gas distribution network in the UK, and YMCA, a renowned youth charity dedicated to supporting young people and communities, are proud to announce the launch of a new programme in their existing partnership, the Cadent Cost of Living Fund.
This initiative aims to provide vital support to 32 local YMCA branches across the country, empowering them with £10,000 each to enhance their community outreach programmes, focusing on various cost-of-living-related challenges.
The Cadent Cost of Living Fund is designed to address key areas of concern for communities, including benefits and welfare support signposting, mental health and wellbeing support, access to academic or technical education and training, life skills for independent living, money management and budgeting, and healthy living activities.
This critically timed partnership follows the success of the ‘Safe and Well Communities’ project, which Cadent Gas and YMCA launched in April 2023. As a result of its positive impact to date, the ‘Safe and Well Communities’ project will also be extended until March 2026. It will continue to provide young people with valuable skills through slow cooking workshops to help them maximise their budgets during the cost-of-living crisis while promoting energy efficiency.
One young person was Nada, who, after a series of chemotherapy, was supported through fuel vouchers and provided with a slow cooker, which helped her through financial difficulties and gave her the opportunity to batch cook.
“Thank you, Cadent,” voiced Nada, a young person at a local YMCA, “The support I received helped to keep my flat warm, and the slow cooker helps me to economise as well as batch cook meals for when I am not feeling so good after chemo, as it makes me feel so poorly.”
Speaking about the new partnership;
Denise Hatton, Chief Executive, YMCA England & Wales, expressed enthusiasm, stating, “YMCA is committed to helping young people overcome barriers and achieve their full potential. The Cadent Cost of Living Fund will enable us to expand our reach and provide crucial resources to address the diverse needs of the communities we serve.”
Phil Burrows, Head of Customer Vulnerability at Cadent, added,
“We are delighted to continue our collaboration with YMCA through the Cadent Cost of Living Fund. In light of ongoing challenges related to the cost of living, we believe this initiative will make a meaningful difference in supporting communities and empowering young people to thrive.”
Through the Cadent Cost of Living Fund, Cadent and YMCA are demonstrating their shared commitment to social responsibility and community empowerment. The impact of this initiative is expected to be substantial. The Cadent VCMA Project Eligibility Assessment shows that the project has a 5-year gross social return on investment of over £31 million, fostering resilience and wellbeing among individuals and families facing economic challenges, and the aim is to reach more than 200,000 individuals through the initiative.
Read YMCA’s latest report Trapped in the Cost of Living Crisis here.