Our support for communities during COVID-19

Millions of people rely on us every day to keep the lights on. Since the COVID-19 pandemic began we’ve been working hard to protect our colleagues and continue to deliver safe, secure and reliable electricity.  But we also know it’s a tough time for many so, alongside our core work of keeping power flowing, we’re supporting a raft of charitable and volunteer initiatives. 

We’ve created our National Grid ESO community fund to support our colleagues who are involved in local community-based organisations during the pandemic.

Many of our colleagues across ESO applied for funding for charitable organisations that mean something to them, their friends and their families. We’re supporting 17 charities in the Warwickshire, London and Berkshire areas, helping them with their work to support communities throughout COVID-19. These include charities involved in a broad range of activities such as helping vulnerable people, food initiatives, local parish initiatives and community centres.

For example, we’ve supported the Stratford-Upon-Avon foodbank to help with their work in supplying food parcels to those in crisis. The application was made through our Future Markets Manager Chris Dobson who fundraises for the foodbank. We were also pleased to donate to The Mustard Tree, a charity our Strategy and Regulation colleague Gillian Morris supports.

Over the coming weeks we’ll be highlighting more about the different charities we’re supporting, the amazing work they do for their communities and how they’ve stepped up during this period. Our first charity will be Yeldall Manor next week.

Yeldall Manor provides residential rehabilitation and support for men seeking to overcome drug and alcohol addictions. This is anything from detox and therapy through to preparing them for new jobs and finding accommodation for when they move out. It’s a Christian-based charity but helps men of any faith or none.

We’re proud to support our colleagues and their charities at this difficult time for the nation.