Wales & West Utilities links with Exeter charity

Wales & West Utilities has linked with an Exeter charity to provide support to homeless and vulnerably housed people across the city.

The gas emergency and pipeline service has partnered with St Petrock’s to provide ‘Keep Warm’ packs for homeless individuals, whilst carbon monoxide safety alarms are being distributed to vulnerably housed people known to the charity.

Each ‘Keep Warm’ pack contains hand warmers, a thermos flask, hot water bottle, blanket, socks, hat and gloves and are usually given to vulnerable customers whose gas supplies are affected for a short period of time.

Louise Alfaresi, First Line Manager for Exeter at Wales & West Utilities, is responsible for establishing the partnership. Louise said: “We are happy that this partnership will go some way to helping local homeless and vulnerably housed people stay safe and warm and away from the deathly dangers of carbon monoxide.  

“In providing the ‘Keep Warm’ packs we are hopeful that we will be able to reach and help those in the city who need it the most. 

“The carbon monoxide alarms will help those individuals who are in accommodation to stay safe from the dangers of carbon monoxide. Having an audible carbon monoxide alarm is one of the simplest steps to staying safe from dangers, and we are pleased that more vulnerably housed people across Exeter will have access to this potentially life-saving piece of equipment.”

St Petrock’s is Exeter's charity for people who are homeless or vulnerably housed. It has been working for over 25 years, providing a range of support, housing and prevention services to help fill the gaps in services available to individuals in need.

Peter Stephenson, Director at St Petrock’s, is delighted with the support and said: “As a local charity, we are incredibly grateful for the support we, and our clients, receive from the local community, including businesses like Wales & West Utilities. 

“Well over half our funding comes from the local community, and practical support like this will be a huge help for our clients to keep their heating costs manageable at this challenging time when many are having to make a desperate choice between paying rent or staying warm and risking becoming homeless.”

Wales & West Utilities, the gas emergency and pipeline service, brings energy to 7.5m people across the south west of England and Wales. If you smell gas, or suspect the presence of carbon monoxide, call us on 0800 111 999 straight away, and our engineers will be there to help any time of day or night.