The Warm Homes Network - working in partnership to tackle poverty

The third sector is a vital source of support for people facing financial hardship, but no organisation can tackle the problem alone. This is particularly true for poverty – it is complex and doesn’t exist in isolation. If someone is struggling to heat their home, it’s likely more wraparound support is needed too.

Collaboration is at the heart of the sector, and we all strive for it, however practically it can be challenging. Different processes and policies, and organisations often competing for the same funding, can limit what’s possible. This is why we want to celebrate the Warm Homes Network (WHN) – a partnership between Citizens Advice Manchester, Turn2us, and YES Energy, supported by Cadent Gas and Northern Gas Networks. Figures estimate 2.36 million households were in fuel poverty in England in 2025 – enough households to fill Wembley Stadium 26 times. The WHN exists to tackle this and help people access tailored support without having to repeat their situation to different organisations. Established after a successful pilot in November 2024, the WHN helps people claim the support they’re entitled to, make their homes more energy efficient, and access advice on benefits, household costs, and debt. Drawing on the unique expertise of each organisation, to March 2026 we have supported 39,000 people, identified over £94m in welfare benefits, and signed up 2,605 people to the Priority Services Register. Having the time and investment from the GDNs means we’ve been able to create a genuinely collaborative partnership offering support when people