Our annual winter campaign has reached more than 2,800 people and provided more than £30,000 of support to customers!
The campaign, which runs from December through February, identifies customers in need of extra support with things like keeping their homes warm, emergency food parcels, mental health and wellbeing assistance and much more, including festive community events and tailored Christmas gifts for those who would otherwise go without.
Altogether the 2023/24 campaign supported 294 households across Merseyside, Halton and Cheshire. 2807 customers benefited from support and 138 children received Christmas toys.
Energy vouchers worth £11,630 and food vouchers to the value of £11,775 were provided over the length of the campaign.
Our contracted partners generously donated grant contributions totalling £13,500 as well as raffle prizes to raise more funds.
Emma Sneyd, head of engagement and partnerships, said: “Helping our customers every year with our winter campaign is a really important part of what we can do to offer support to people most in need. The cold weather and cost of living crisis – including Christmas essentials – mean customers struggle much more at this time of year.
“We have had some great feedback this year that has shown the difference the winter campaign has made.”
Customers helped by the campaign included K*, a single mother of four children. She works and claims Universal Credit to top up her earnings, but it just isn’t enough. She said: “I have to have my radiators on all of the time to keep the house warm, I received some gas vouchers over Christmas and food vouchers it really helped to keep the heating on. I also received a bag of toys there was toys and games for the kids and body wash sets for the older kids. It was so lovely thank you.”
V* is a full-time carer for her two sons. She said: “I’m struggling going from weekly to monthly pay due to the changeover to universal credit. The toys helped a lot they were brilliant the boys were so made up, I also received vouchers and I was able to do a shop and top my gas and electric up so thank you.”
This year we increased the amount in our emergency mitigation fund to £150,000. The purpose of the fund is to mitigate against the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on customers. Much of this goes on a crisis fund for those in need of urgent support.
It's not just for winter - customers can contact us all year round for more information on help and support available, from access to food bank vouchers to help getting back into work and training. We can also refer customers to Pocket Power, a service that helps people switch providers and save money on household bills. To find out more, email customer@plusdane.co.uk or call 0800 169 2988.
