The Vulnerability Initiative by Healthy Homes Solutions (HHS) is here to support anyone feeling vulnerable or struggling with utility bills. We know it can be hard, and our service is open to anyone, whether for yourself, a family member, or a friend.
If you’d like to learn more or to register, simply click ‘register’ and book a callback or call us at 0800 151 3014. Our friendly team is here to listen and help direct you to the support needed. We can apply together, saving you time and effort.
Making sure you can access all the help you are entitled to
We have set up a free one-stop member triage online and call centre support team, to specifically help people who feel vulnerable.
For more information on these services, simply click ‘register’ to fill out the form or call us at 0800 151 3014. Our friendly Healthy Homes team is here to walk you through the services we can apply for together, and those you can apply for yourself.
The Priority Services Register (PSR) offers a helping hand to those who need it most, allowing vulnerable customers to get free support from their energy supplier or network operator. This service is designed to make life easier, with no cost involved. Every energy and water supplier and network operator has its own register, so you can sign up and receive benefits that help streamline managing your energy supply, making your day-to-day a bit easier.
Includes:
Providing alternative heating and cooking facilities should the gas be interrupted as part of the network programme.
The use of a password facility to keep vulnerable homes safe on their doorstep. They provide this through ensuring that engineers follow a strict process and must allow the householder to check engineer credentials easily.
For the purposes of safety, if the member has a gas emergency control valve (ECV) and cannot reach it due to poor mobility, your Gas Network Provider may be able to move this to a more convenient position.
Providing translation services should there be a need for it 24/7, 365 days of the year.
Vulnerable members might qualify for free carbon monoxide (CO) monitors, crucial for detecting odourless and colourless gas to prevent CO poisoning. With less than half of UK homes equipped with these lifesaving devices, the risk is higher, especially during the energy-demanding winter months. To increase safety, government guidelines recommend installing CO monitors in rooms with fuel-burning appliances, positioned according to specific height requirements.
Do you need a free CO monitor? If you’re part of the Healthy Homes initiative, the team can secure a CO monitor for you if you are in a Cadent, Wales and West or SGN region. Just give the Healthy Homes team a call on 0800 111 999 to authorise the request, and they’ll handle the rest.
NOTE: If you do smell gas at any time, immediately call 0800 111 999 at any time of the day or night.
The Vulnerability Registration Service (VRS) is a free not-for-profit organisation designed to help individuals whose circumstances need to be taken into consideration by the organisations they interact with.
For more information, click ‘register’ and complete the form. The HHS team can directly register you for certain services using your details, streamlining the process to save you time, effort, and reduce anxiety. For services where direct registration is not possible, the team will provide helpful signposting information to guide you.
Our team can direct you to essential mental health support in your area. In the Wales and West Regions, SGN Regions we work with Mental Health UK to offer comprehensive services and advice, and in the Cadent regions, we collaborate with Shout 86258, ensuring you get tailored support for emotional, psychological, and social well-being. If you need assistance, contact the Healthy Homes team on 0800 151 3014 and register today.
Maggie’s offers compassionate, free support to anyone affected by cancer, providing a nurturing environment for patients and their families. At their centres, available across the Cadent, WWU and SGN areas, you can access practical advice, emotional support, and a welcoming community without needing an appointment. They offer tailored advice, emotional support for families, and resources for managing symptoms and side effects. For more information on Maggie’s Cancer Care, register with the HHS Vulnerability Initiative or call the team on 0800 151 3014 for further guidance.
Registering with The Vulnerability Initiative grants access to essential information and support from both the National Energy Action (NEA) and Healthy Homes Solutions (HHS). NEA offers guidance for those struggling with energy bills, providing a list of reputable support organisations and tailored advice to manage and reduce energy costs effectively. HHS shares practical tips to save on energy and water bills, with opportunities for free or discounted services for eligible households. If you need further help, contact the Healthy Homes team on 0800 151 3014 and register today.
The Warm Home Discount Scheme provides a reduction on energy bills for winter months, available to eligible individuals, especially those on low incomes or receiving certain benefits. This discount, applied directly to your energy bill, helps manage costs without affecting other winter payments. Contact the Healthy Homes team for assistance within the relevant winter months and talk through the application process by registering today or calling 0800 151 3014.
The Healthy Homes Solutions team assists UK residents in accessing over £21 billion in unclaimed benefits and grants, providing a comprehensive eligibility check for financial support and energy efficiency grants. Through a partnership with IE HUB and Policy in Practice, they offer personalised, confidential assistance to enhance home insulation, heating, and renewable energy solutions, aiming to reduce energy costs and promote sustainable living. The team guides residents through the application process, simplifying access to these resources to improve home energy efficiency – so register today and see if your are eligible.
Struggling with debt? We have partnered with Welfare Together to provide free, expert debt advice to guide you towards financial freedom. With over 30 years of experience and helping over 1 million people, they offer effective solutions tailored to your needs. To start regaining control of your finances, register today and book a call with one of the Healthy Homes team.
The Telephone Preference Service (TPS) is the UK’s official registry to block unwanted sales calls on both landline and mobile phones. Registration is free and legally stops most unsolicited calls. The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) enforces this, fining violators. If unwanted calls persist after registration, complaints can be made directly to the TPS. Register today and book a call with one of the Healthy Homes team to find out more.
Alzheimer’s Society offers crucial support for those affected by dementia, with phone advice, local activities, and an online community. They provide resources in multiple formats, ensuring accessible information for everyone. To understand how to gain access to this support, register with The Vulnerability Initiative and book a call with our team.
GamCare, supported by Healthy Homes, helps those with gambling issues through various services, including helplines and online tools. They offer self-help resources, behaviour change tools, and financial management strategies. To hear more about these services, register with The Vulnerability Initiative or call 0800 151 3014 for personalised support.
Friends Against Scams provides free online training to help individuals recognise and prevent scams, safeguarding themselves and their loved ones. This initiative by National Trading Standards equips people to fight scams effectively. Registering households can access this training to enhance their scam awareness. To join and start protecting your home and community, contact The Vulnerability Initiative team at 0800 151 3014 for support.
Water-saving kits help UK homes reduce water use and carbon emissions, contributing to net zero goals. The Healthy Homes team supports registering households to apply for these free kits. To get your water-saving kit, register with The Vulnerability Initiative, and our team will guide you through the application process.
Social tariffs can save eligible low-income households up to £144 a year on broadband. The Healthy Homes team will guide you through how to check your eligibility, as criteria vary by provider and may depend on benefits like universal credit. The HHS team can help guide residents, but due to contractual requirements registering households will have to apply directly with their provider. Register today and the HHS team will help talk you through how to apply.
Cruse Bereavement Support offers compassionate, free assistance to anyone affected by the loss of a loved one, providing emotional support and practical advice to help individuals and families navigate the challenges of grief. Whether you have recently lost someone or are coping with grief from years ago, Cruse is here to support you every step of the way. They offer one-to-one support, a helpline, and online resources to help you manage your emotions and find guidance on practical matters such as funeral arrangements and financial concerns. For more information on Cruse Bereavement Support, register with the HHS Vulnerability Initiative or call the team on 0800 151 3014 for further guidance.
IE Hub offers free, user-friendly support to anyone facing financial challenges, providing a simple online tool to help you manage your income and spending. Whether you need help creating a budget, dealing with creditors, or understanding your financial situation, IE Hub is here to guide you every step of the way. Their online platform allows you to track your spending, share your information with creditors securely, and access additional support services tailored to your needs. For more information on how IE Hub can support you, register with the HHS Vulnerability Initiative or call the team on 0800 151 3014 for further guidance.
Independent Age offers free, impartial advice to older individuals facing financial hardship, focusing on improving later life by providing support on issues such as money, benefits, housing, and care. Their services include a helpline offering confidential guidance, free benefits checks, and access to a wide range of advice guides. Independent Age also provides digital skills training through their Hi Digital program and runs telephone groups for those who may not be online or find it difficult to get out. For more information on how Independent Age can support you, register with the HHS Vulnerability Initiative or call the team on 0800 151 3014 for further guidance.
Kidney Care UK has been supporting kidney patients and their families for over 40 years, providing vital services tailored to the unique challenges of living with kidney disease. Whether you are newly diagnosed, need emotional support, or are managing life with dialysis or a transplant, Kidney Care UK is here to support you every step of the way. They offer emotional and financial support, dietary advice, and advocacy to help navigate the complexities of kidney disease. For more information on how Kidney Care UK can support you, register with the HHS Vulnerability Initiative or call the team on 0800 151 3014 for further guidance.
Better Housing Better Health (BHBH) is dedicated to tackling fuel poverty and improving energy efficiency in homes across the UK. They provide tailored support to help vulnerable people manage their energy use, reduce costs, and create healthier, more energy-efficient homes. Whether you need advice on insulation, energy-saving options, or reducing your energy bills, BHBH offers step-by-step guidance and access to grants to make your home warmer and more efficient. For more information on how BHBH can support you, register with the HHS Vulnerability Initiative or call the team on 0800 151 3014 for further guidance.
Policy in Practice offers tools and guidance to help you navigate the benefits system and uncover the support you’re entitled to. With £23 billion in benefits going unclaimed each year, they provide the Better Off Calculator, a free online tool that helps you understand how changes in your circumstances—like a new job or adjusted working hours—might affect your income and benefits. Policy in Practice ensures that you have the knowledge to claim what you’re entitled to, with data security and privacy at the forefront. For more information on how Policy in Practice can support you, register with the HHS Vulnerability Initiative or call the team on 0800 151 3014 for further guidance.
Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to know about the Healthy Homes Solutions Vulnerability Initiative.
HHS partnered with Cadent Gas, Wales & West Utilities and SGN to help support The Vulnerability Initiative to provide essential services to vulnerable and fuel-poor households. By collaborating with utility companies, we aim to offer a one-stop support triage service that makes a real difference to registering households. We hope that more utility companies will join our initiative, allowing us to extend this unique and invaluable service across the entire UK.
No, The Vulnerability Initiative is completely free. Our team offers guidance for applying to additional services or, where possible, applying on your behalf at no charge.
By using our service, you provide the team with relevant information that allows the Healthy Homes team to support you effectively, whether through direct applications or by directing you to useful services like free water-saving kits, broadband social tariffs, and warm home programs. Where individual applications are necessary the team has thoroughly researched the requirements and can equip you with all the necessary information to help you apply yourself.
Healthy Homes Solutions is committed to ensuring digital accessibility for people with disabilities. Therefore, if you require braille, large print or the information provided for deaf or hearing-impaired users, please email: info@vrshhs.org or call 0800 151 3014.
Cadent Gas, Wales & West Utilities and SGN are sponsoring Healthy Homes Solutions to deliver The Vulnerability Initiative, funded by Ofgem’s Vulnerability Carbon Monoxide Awareness (VCMA) program. This initiative aims to reach vulnerable and fuel-poor households, offering them access to essential services they may be unaware of. Healthy Homes Solutions facilitates this by researching and providing the necessary information, thereby reducing the stress and anxiety associated with finding relevant support services.
The Vulnerability Registration Service (VRS) is a not-for-profit organisation, designed to help people who have circumstances that need to be taken into consideration by the businesses or organisations that they have contact with. There is no cost to the people who register.
Regarding the liability of our service, please note that while Healthy Homes Ltd, Cadent Gas Ltd, Wales & West Utilities and SGN strive to provide the best possible support through this initiative, they cannot be held liable for any issues that may arise. We ensure that the information we offer is accurate and up-to-date at the time of publication.
All calls are monitored and recorded to ensure Healthy Homes Solutions are providing these additional services that support vulnerable people and homes in accordance with the VCMA (Vulnerability and Carbon Monoxide Awareness Ofgem programme, criteria, and legal requirements).
The Healthy Homes Solutions Member Services Team cannot advise on any of the services and initiatives included in this document. The Team is there purely to apply on VRS members behalf or provide information on how best to apply for the services identified and available for vulnerable people and homes.
Healthy Homes Solutions have researched and identified what services are currently available. It is outside of the control of both organisations if these services are amended, the criteria for eligibility changes, or they temporarily or permanently close.
The Vulnerability Initiative will continually monitor the services we identify for our members and will notify them as and when a service changes. Some services may differ between England, Scotland, and Wales, this is due to the different funding mechanisms each government uses to support vulnerable people and homes.
Eligibility criteria:
The eligibly criteria process the Healthy Homes Solutions team performs is an initial check to identify if the home or VRS Member is able to apply for the different services.
If incorrect information that could affect the application at a later date is provided at this time, Healthy Homes Solutions cannot be held responsible for any applications that do not meet the specific criteria of the said application.
The Vulnerability Initiative provides an introduction and application completion process.
Once a service is applied for, (on your behalf) The Healthy Homes Solutions team are no longer involved in the process or the relationship you have with the respective service provider. If at any point you wish to close or cancel an application this must be completed with the respective service provider through their normal cancellation procedure found on their website.
Broadband Social Tariffs:
The Broadband Social tariff service require a more personalised process, such as social broadband tariff application – where the member services team can guide VRS members on how to identify if they are eligible for a broadband social tariff through their provider and who to contact to make their application.
Broadband Social tariffs:
Due to broadband services requiring a personalised contract to be in place, Healthy Homes can only signpost the VRS members to how to investigate if they are eligible for a reduction and how to apply. Healthy Homes Solutions cannot advise on which Broadband service is best for VRS members, but can signpost them on how to find out if they are eligible for a reduce tariff with their provider.
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