National Energy Action Marks 45th Anniversary with Fuel Poverty Conference at The Glasshouse

Newcastle-based charity National Energy Action selected the iconic The Glasshouse International Centre for Music — formerly Sage Gateshead — on the NewcastleGateshead quayside to host its Annual Fuel Poverty Conference from 9–11 February.

More than 400 delegates attended the three-day event, which celebrated the charity’s 45th anniversary and featured expert panels, workshops, and an exhibition area located in the venue’s concourse. The conference brought together stakeholders from across the energy, health, and charity sectors, with keynote addresses from Freda Geddes, Mayor of Gateshead; Caroline Flint, Chair of the Committee on Fuel Poverty; and Martin McCluskey, Minister for Energy Consumers.

Adam Scorer, Chief Executive of National Energy Action, said: “Marking our 45th year at The Glasshouse has been a powerful moment for our charity. As we were founded in 1981 by Durham University students, it was valuable to return to our North East home in such a landmark venue, at a time when fuel poverty continues to affect millions of households.

“Over three days, the space meant we could bring together hundreds of partners, policymakers and practitioners in plenary and breakout sessions, and at the exhibition, which filled the concourse. The Glasshouse hosted our biggest ever conference, allowing more people to work together so everyone can live in a warm and healthy home.”

The event also highlighted the venue’s commitment to community impact and sustainability.

Scott Morrison, Strategic Development and Partnerships Lead at The Glasshouse International Centre for Music said: “Fuel poverty is something that affects thousands of people across the North East, including many households here in Gateshead. National Energy Action does vital work to improve the lives of people in fuel poverty so hosting the charity’s Annual Conference and Exhibition here at The Glasshouse helped shine a light on this hugely important issue. We've been an official Warm Welcome Space for several years now. Anyone in need of a safe and warm place to visit can come to The Glasshouse and enjoy a tea or coffee on us.
 

"As a venue, we're always looking for new and innovative ways to improve our fuel efficiency and achieve our goal of being net zero by 2030. We're powered and heated by the Gateshead District Energy Scheme, which helps us save money on bills and reduce our carbon footprint. We also recently achieved a Gold accreditation from Green Meetings, a certification that evidences our sustainability credentials for meetings and events. Receiving the highest rating is a great endorsement of the work we’re doing to make our conferences and events as environmentally responsible as possible.

“It’s becoming increasingly important for conference organisers to work with venues and destinations that minimise the environmental impact of meetings, events and conferences.”

Opened in 2004, The Glasshouse — formerly Sage Gateshead — has established itself as both a leading live music venue and a prominent conference and events destination in the UK. The venue features a dramatic 1,640-seat auditorium, a more intimate 330-seat performance space, and a bright, high-ceilinged concourse offering panoramic views across the Newcastle skyline.

Since opening, the venue has welcomed more than 400,000 delegates, hosting events for organisations including MS Life, Greggs, British Engines, NHS, and TEDx. In addition, the travel trade association UKinbound has recently confirmed it will bring its Annual Convention to the venue in February 2027.

As an independent venue and registered charity, conferences and events held at The Glasshouse directly support its live music and education programmes, benefiting communities across the North East. To date, more than £10.6 million generated from conferences and events has been reinvested into the charity’s work.

Located on the NewcastleGateshead quayside, The Glasshouse remains the only large-scale conference and events venue in this landmark setting, offering one of the most distinctive meeting spaces in the UK.

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