Fifth Sense and Cadent launch pioneering gas safety initiative

We’re thrilled to collaborate with Cadent, the UK’s largest Gas Distribution Network, to provide groundbreaking training for Cadent employees on smell and taste disorders.

A pioneering e-learning course will be offered to Cadent colleagues, with the goal of increasing important awareness of the impact of smell and taste disorders and help them to support those affected to stay safe in their homes.

The course forms part of a long-established strategic partnership between our two organisations, which began in 2019 to support the safety of people with smell disorders.

Duncan Boak, Fifth Sense CEO and Founder, said: “I’m delighted that Cadent is working with Fifth Sense to ensure its employees are aware of the potential safety issues associated with smell disorders. Safety is a big issue for someone with a smell impairment as they may be unable to detect gas, smoke, spoiled food and drink, and other potentially dangerous odours.

“Cadent is setting an example that I hope other organisations will start to follow. This is an important step in our ongoing fight for recognition of these sensory impairments.”

This new course gives Cadent colleagues – many who are gas engineers working within communities – information on smell and taste disorders, and how they can refer customers to additional support.

Phil Burrows, Head of Customer Vulnerability Social Programmes at Cadent, said: “This new e-learning course will provide vital information for our engineers and others who are out and about in the community visiting customers in their homes.

“Safety is a priority for us, and by raising awareness of the potential impact of not being able to smell a gas leak, we hope to decrease the likelihood of an incident.”

In addition, eligible customers can sign up to the Priority Services Register, the energy industry-wide register which supports those with health, communication, access or safety needs if their power, gas, or water goes off in an emergency – or because of planned works.

C-Jay Fretwell, Cadent Lead Gas Engineer, regularly works on emergencies and was part of the team that trialled the training.

C-Jay said: “I found the course helpful as I recently came across a customer who had totally lost their sense of smell from an illness. We had a chat about being able to detect gas and I could share some advice and tips to help them find a new nose, whether that’s a friend or neighbour, a gas detector or even prevention measures for gas escapes.

“Now all our engineers can do the same thanks to the training and initiatives coming from our partnership with Fifth Sense.”

Research suggests that as much as 5 per cent of the population may be affected by anosmia, the inability to detect odours. They can be congenital (since birth) or acquired following a head injury, viral infection, exposure to toxins, medication or an operational procedure, or due to an illness or condition such as stroke, Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s.

Smell and taste disorders affect people’s physical and mental health, wellbeing and safety.

Duncan added, “Our sense of smell significantly impacts our memory, mood, and emotions and is integral to many enjoyable life experiences. It forms an essential sentimental pathway for creating meaningful and cherished memories.

“People with smell disorders often feel disconnected from the world and those around them, intensifying feelings of isolation and potentially leading to depression and anxiety.”

If you would like to know more about Cadent and its range of support options, you can visit their website here.