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Helping your community

Helping your community during coronavirus

By Marta Moses | Posted May 18, 2020

Whether you want to help a neighbour, friend or a family member who may be isolating or shielding, there are many ways you can offer your support.

We want to provide some useful information on how you can help with any energy related queries they may have and how else you can best support them.

Helping with their energy supply 

If the person you want to help is on a prepayment meter, you can top it up for them at a Payzone Post Office or a shop with a PayPoint symbol

We also have extra help and advice available. We can help advise you if there has been a change in their financial circumstances and they’re having difficulties paying their bills.

Staying safe

If there are ever any concerns about a gas leak or carbon monoxide, immediately open all windows and doors, extinguish any naked flames then call the free Gas Emergency Services line on 0800 111 999(1)

If there's an electrical emergency or power goes out in their home, you or they need to call 105(1)

Helping those who need extra help with basic necessities

There are quite a few different things you can do to help someone who’s vulnerable in the current situation. You can:

  • Go to the shops or pharmacy for someone,
  • Walk their dog,
  • Set up home deliveries for groceries, meals or medication,
  • Create care packages to drop at their door,
  • Ensure they have a variety of hobbies to occupy their time - for example, you could order some books for them, drawing materials, wool for knitting or whatever they enjoy.

Helping to stay connected 

Something as quick as a text or a phone call can make a huge difference. It may also give them something to look forward to if they’re not in regular contact with others.

If the person you're helping isn't tech-savvy you can donate old technology and talk them through online videos, such as how-to videos for WhatsApp, that explain how to use certain apps or services.

There are also many national and local organisations that provide support, such as Age UK's free telephone friendship services for over 60s and Mind charity's mental health support.

You can find more local community groups by visiting your council's website.

Helping the wider community 

There are all kinds of ways you can help your local community. Why not:

  • Donate blood,
  • Donate money, clothes and food,
  • Volunteer for the NHS or help out by making deliveries for other charities or local groups following government advice around social distancing.

What we’re doing to help

We’ve partnered up with Boots, Avicenna and Lloyds to deliver medical supplies to those in need. Our smart meter engineers are now delivering essential medical prescriptions and equipment.

Meet Tando Mpofu – one of our amazing employees delivering supplies to vulnerable customers

Tando has been with EDF for just over ten years.Away from work he is a pastor and has his own church. He’s very active in his community and does a lot for his congregation.

"I feel humbled and honoured to be on the company media. I was not expecting the height it has gone up to, but I am very thankful for the support that led me here.

I am still continuing with this great service and the community is very grateful and appreciative. Please stay safe everyone."

More help and support from EDF