The North of England’s gas distributor, Northern Gas Networks (NGN), has launched a brand-new competition, encouraging primary school children to learn more about the dangers of Carbon Monoxide (CO).

The competition acts as an extension to the current Safety Seymour education programme NGN runs within schools in partnership with Cadent Gas, Wales & West Utilities and SGN. The sessions help pupils and in turn, their families, learn more about the associated risks, which together could save lives.

Open to primary school children, ages five to 11, the Safety Seymour Villain Competition will challenge pupils to give Carbon Monoxide a character and design their very own villain counterpart to allow Seymour to carry on his duties.

Tom Bell, Head of Social Strategy at Northern Gas Networks, said: “Gas safety is an incredibly important topic which is why we’re so passionate about our education programme that proactively teaches young people more about how they can identify the dangers.

“It’s important that we engage with children in a way that is interactive and enjoyable, and the Safety Seymour villain competition is a fantastic way for us to do this. We’re really looking forward to seeing the creative entries that come through!”

The best Carbon Monoxide villain in each age range will see their design come to life with the character transformed into a unique, sustainable stuffed toy, as well as winning £500 worth of book tokens for their primary school submitting the idea. Two runners-up prizes will also be awarded in each category.

Winners will be selected by a panel from Northern Gas Networks, who will be on the look-out for creativity and an understanding surrounding the dangers of Carbon Monoxide.

Running until the 30^th November, entries can be submitted along with the child’s name, age, primary school and parent/guardian contact information to safetyseymourvillains@northerngas.co.uk or posted to:

Safety Seymour Villains Competition
Northern Gas Networks
Thorpe Park Business Park
1100 Century Way
Leeds
LS15 8TU

Alternatively, if you’re keen to find out more about holding your own Safety Seymour session within your primary school, please email stakeholder@northerngas.co.uk.

Anyone that smells gas or suspects carbon monoxide should call the National Gas Emergency Service immediately on 0800 111 999. This line is in operation 24-hours a day, seven days a week.

Terms and Conditions

1. This prize promotion is open to all UK residents (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland), of primary school age except for anyone directly connected with the planning or administration of the prize promotion (including Northern Gas Networks, Cadent, Wales & West Utilities or SGN employees and their immediate families).
2. Entrants must have parental or guardian permission before entering the competition.
3. Parental permission will be requested upon receival of the entry.
4. Any entrants received that do not have accompanying parental or guardian permission within two days of the closing date will be automatically deleted.
   5. To enter, send the child’s drawing to safetyseymourvillains@northerngas.co.uk or post to:

Safety Seymour Villains Competition,

Northern Gas Networks,

Thorpe Park Business Park,

1100 Century Way,

Colton,

Leeds,

LS15 8TU

by 30^th November 2019, include the child’s full name, age, primary school and hometown, as well as a mobile number for the parent/guardian.

6. Entries that are incomplete, lost, mislaid, damaged, corrupted, delayed, wrongly delivered, or not received for whatever reason will not be accepted. Any comments that we consider (in our absolute discretion) to be vulgar, offensive, indecent, racist, copied, offensive, cruel or fraudulent, or infringe on the rights or others will be immediately removed.
7. The entry instructions form part of the rules. By entering, you agree to accept and be bound by the rules.
8. Everyone who meets the entry criteria will be entered into the competition for consideration.
9. There will be one entry per child. No third party or bulk entries. If it becomes apparent that either a participant or household is using any means to circumvent this condition such as, and without limitation, multiple email addresses, fraudulently falsifying data, acting fraudulently or dishonestly in the opinion of the promoter or otherwise acting in violation of these terms, these participants will be disqualified and any prize entitlement will be void.
10. One winner will be selected per category, and their entry, name, age, primary school and hometown will be shared with respective local press, national press and on Northern Gas Networks’ social media channels. Consent is withdrawable at any time, however failure to provide permission for Northern Gas Networks to publish this information will result in your child being removed from the competition.
11. Entries must be received by the time specified in these terms and conditions to be in with a chance of winning. All competition entries received after the time specified are automatically disqualified and deleted.
12. All entries (excluding the winners) will be deleted after 90 days.
13. Entries will be divided into two age categories – age 5-7 (Key Stage 1) and age 8-11 (Key Stage 2 & 3). The prize for the winner in each category is a unique stuffed toy replicating their created design and the child’s school will also receive £500 worth of Puffin book tokens. Runner-up prizes will also be given to two children in each category, which will be Natural Earth Paints (Age 5 – 7) and Articulate for Kids (Age 8 – 11)
    14. There is no cash or alternative to the prize stated and we cannot send the prize to anyone other than the named winner. The prize is non-transferable, non-refundable and cannot be resold. The Promoter reserves the right to substitute the prize for an alternative one of the same or higher value.
    15. The winner will be notified via email or telephone.
    16. If a prize is not claimed within two days of that winner being notified, the prize will be redrawn and awarded to a new winner. The Promoter does not accept any responsibility if you are not able to take up the prize.
    17. We reserve the right to cancel, amend, withdraw, terminate or temporarily suspend this promotion for whatever reason, with no liability to any entrants or third parties but if this happens we will use all reasonable endeavours to avoid consumer disappointment.
14. Insofar as is permitted by law, the Promoter, its agents or distributors will not in any circumstances be responsible or liable to compensate the winner or accept any liability for any loss, damage, personal injury or death occurring as a result of taking up the prize except where it is caused by the negligence of the Promoter, its agents or distributors or that of their employees. Your statutory rights are not affected.
    19. The promoter’s decision is final and binding. No correspondence will be entered into.
    20. As part of the introduction of the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) we have updated our Privacy Notices. These Privacy Notices set out the basis on which any personal data we collect from you, or that you provide to us, will be processed. The Promoter will only process your personal information as set out in the Privacy Notice: https://ngn.grapple-staging.co.uk/legal-information/. By entering into this competition and providing us with your information, you agree to these terms and conditions and our Privacy Notices. The Promotor is only using the personal data of the entrants to administer the competition on the basis that it is necessary for entering or performing a Contract.
    21. The Promoter is: Northern Gas Networks, Thorpe Park Business Park, 1100 Century Way, Colton, Leeds, LS15 8TU.

A Northumberland-based charity is celebrating as it is now able to offer hot food to members of the community for the first time, thanks to a helping hand from Northern Gas Networks (NGN).

The Hope Centre, on Forum Way in Cramlington, is a volunteer run community centre that provides a number of support services for residents in need including; a daily food bank; a lunch scheme providing packed lunches for children during the school holidays who normally receive free school meals; and a community school uniform scheme.

It is now able to offer hot meals to people thanks to pipe work installed by Northern Gas Networks, directly connecting the centre’s kitchen to a gas supply for the first time.

The work was carried out by Gas Safe registered engineers, as a gesture of goodwill and free of charge, in recognition of the important service being delivered by local volunteers.

The Hope Centre’s boiler room, located in an NHS building next door, was only accessible by appointment with the NHS. But following NGN’s work, the centre’s gas supply is now directly connected to a gas cooker through the installation of additional pipework, bypassing the boiler room.

Initially onsite for pre-planned works, the engineers used their initiative to adapt the original plans to best serve the centre, avoiding unnecessary works that would have involved digging up the entrance and taking pipework 100 metres around the building, while also removing the need for the Hope Centre to have access to the boiler room.

Joyce Docherty, Manager for the Hope Centre, said: “We rely on support from the local community and the help that NGN has provided is invaluable. Without their assistance, we wouldn’t be able to provide hot meals to those who most need it. With winter fast approaching, their work will be life changing.”

James O’Brien, Site Manager for Northern Gas Networks in North Tyne, said: “What the Hope Centre does for the community is phenomenal, so we are extremely proud to be able to help the volunteers. There is nothing more rewarding than seeing a day’s hard work help the team to provide hot meals for the years ahead. With the works carried out free of charge, it means the centre can better prioritise its spend on important provisions that directly benefit local people.”

Alex Brightman, Customer Care Officer for Northern Gas Networks in North Tyne, added: “We are dedicated to the communities that we serve, and customers are always at the heart of what we do. Going above and beyond is what we do best and we are delighted to have helped the Hope Centre when the opportunity arose.”

For more information on the Hope Centre, simply visit: www.cramlingtoncofe.org/hopecentre

For the past three years Northern Gas Networks has funded a programme called Warm Hubs – a pioneering scheme which is managed and delivered by long term partners Community Action Northumberland (CAN).

Warm Hubs are friendly warm spaces within the local community where village halls and other locations are supported to become more energy efficient, local volunteers receive free training in energy and carbon monoxide awareness and residents can socialise, get warm, have refreshments and obtain energy efficiency advice. Since launching, there are now 26 financially self-sufficient Warm Hubs across the North of England, with over 8,000 local residents using the facilities during the colder months.

Through support and advice around switching tariffs, warm home discounts, and provision of energy efficiency measures such as LED light bulbs and radiator panels, attendees have saved approximately £189 on their annual energy bill.

In order to continue this great work, CAN, in partnership with NGN, held a workshop in Gosforth this month, With attendees from all across the UK, including Surrey and Cumbria, sharing how the programme has provided vital support to residents with like-minded organisations who are interested in providing this service within their own communities.

The event proved to be truly insightful with Nick Bragger from Surrey Community Action, commenting: “Warm Hubs is a fantastic initiative that we are looking to replicate in our local community to strengthen the service that we already provide”.

“We attended the event to find out more about the project including routes to funding, practical advice for how to run Warm Hubs and recruit and train volunteers. It has been really useful to be in a room with other people running Warm Hubs and to be able to share ideas face-to-face.”

Attendees Norman and Christine Hook from The Stocksfield Community Association also said: “The workshop was excellent and for us it was very satisfying to see the positive response from other counties. We have offered to assist the promotion of Warm Hubs in Cumbria by welcoming visitors to Stocksfield.”

If you’d like to know more about the Warm Hubs project, please visit: http://www.ca-north.org.uk/supporting-individuals/warm-hub-project

The North of England’s gas distributor, Northern Gas Networks (NGN), has won three awards at the UK Customer Experience Awards 2019, recognising its commitment to delivering outstanding customer service.

The renowned UK Customer Experience Awards (10 October) were held during National Customer Service Week and acknowledge organisations and inspiring businesses across the UK.

Northern Gas Networks was shortlisted for six awards at the event for dedication to its customers, taking home Gold for Product or Service Development, Silver for Employees at the Heart of Everything and Bronze for Use of Insight & Feedback – Customer Satisfaction.

The gas distribution network was praised for its work to use insights to improve customer satisfaction.  Northern Gas Networks innovative driveways project – to proactively reach out to customers to plan gas mains replacement work around home improvements and minimise disruption – was also heralded, as was the company’s dedication to continuing to grow a united and empowered team by fostering a community-focussed culture with people at the heart of everything that it does.

Eileen Brown, Customer Experience Director at Northern Gas Networks, said: “As the North of England’s gas distributer we’re extremely privileged to deliver gas to around 6.8 million customers throughout the North of England.

“Delivering truly great customer service continues to be at heart of everything that we do and we are immensely proud to have been recognised once again at the UK Customer Experience Awards.”

Northern Gas Networks was shortlisted for six UK Customer Experience Awards in 2014 in recognition of its work to transform customer experience and was awarded six gold awards including securing the award for Overall Best Customer Experience.

For more information about Northern Gas Networks please visit northerngasnetworks.co.uk

Anyone that smells gas or suspects carbon monoxide should call the National Gas Emergency Service immediately on 0800 111 999. This line is in operation 24-hours a day, seven days a week.

School pupils in Newcastle are among the beneficiaries of the Community Partnering Fund, a grant scheme delivered in partnership by Northern Gas Networks (NGN), Northern Powergrid and Leeds Community Foundation.

Success4All, an education charity that helps children and young people achieve their full potential, received funding to elevate engagement in science-based subjects in schools in the North East. It used the funding to develop and deliver a new, six-week Energy STEM Challenge project, designed to engage and inspire pupils. It provides unique opportunities for pupils to explore ‘real-life’ science and take part in hands-on learning activities.

The Community Partnering Fund is awarded to grassroots projects and third-sector organisations across the North of England that demonstrate an innovative approach to sustainability, encourage interest in STEM subjects and career opportunities, assist with hardship associated with fuel poverty, and those that promote knowledge of energy efficiency and home safety.

Following funding, four schools have signed up to take part in the Energy STEM Challenge project to date, benefiting 52 children in Newcastle. Participating schools are provided with a package of activities by Northern Gas Networks and Northern Powergrid that aid teachers in lesson planning and provide practical learning with a focus on energy and electricity. The challenge offers a platform for pupils to acquire new skills and ways of thinking, covering key curriculum topics such as where electricity comes from and how circuits, conductors and insulators work.

Success4All provides learning hubs, clubs and summer schools to help increase opportunities and support available to youngsters. Kirsty Hayward, STEM Engagement Manager at Success4All comments on the success of the project:

“The response we’ve had so far has been fantastic. Science at primary school doesn’t have much of a practical element, so putting these ready-made, packaged activities into schools greatly assists teachers in creating engaging learning experiences, as well as supporting children’s development through hands-on exercises.

“What sets the Energy STEM Challenge project apart from standard learning is that it also encourages young people to consider real-life challenges and problems that apply to the world outside of the classroom, such as ‘what would we do without electricity?’ and ‘how can we find innovative ways to produce energy efficiently that lower the impact we have on our environment?’.

“One school group has fully completed the project so far and has taken part in a trip to Northern Gas Networks’ Cannon Park site to see gas holders in person, as well as learning about the history and undertaking a hazard-spotting exercise.

“The Community Partnering Fund not only allowed us to develop the challenge but aided our yearly Fun Day, our end-of-year event with games, arts and crafts for the local community. This year we added a story-telling element about energy at home, how to stay safe and what we can do to look after the environment. It has boosted the confidence of the children involved by challenging their ideas and pushing them to think in new ways.

“The fund was interesting to us due to the interest in STEM subjects. To have the support from companies like Northern Gas Networks and Northern Powergrid who are visible, well-known in the community and whose teams are willing to get involved themselves was an ideal match for our programmes. We’ve reached over 200 people with this initiative, with more ideas in the pipeline. We’re very excited to see how it develops!”

The latest round of funding available through the Community Partnering Fund is now open to applications, and charities and community projects such as Success4All are invited to come forward before midday on 15 October.

Applicants have the potential to receive a share of a grant distribution worth more than £100,000 across two phases. The first phase will award grants of between £1,000 and £10,000 from a £50,000 fund pot, with £50,000 previously awarded in the Spring).

Kirsty provides the following advice to those considering entering for the first time:

“The Community Partnering Fund is a brilliant initiative and you would be surprised at the amount of support available. Don’t be afraid to ask for advice, and by engaging in a conversation we were able to involve the team at Northern Gas Networks directly in our course programme. The funding enabled us to deliver the programme we had designed and elevated our activity by allowing us to add extra topics and elements to the programme.

“Attend the welcome event to meet those who are taking part. Hearing from other organisations was fascinating and eye-opening as to the amount of great work happening locally in our region.

“Communities have a responsibility to push the sustainability agenda forward. Incorporating interactive science activities into a community event helps to make energy efficiency fun yet practical. Together we can really make an impact and motivate change.”

For more information, search for #CommunityPartneringFund on social media, or visit www.leedscf.org.uk/community-partnering-fund to apply.