Almost £400,000 awarded to local communities from our In This Together - Community Matters Fund

We’ve donated more than £390,000 to a range of local community groups, local authorities, parish councils, hospitals and charities across our region, to help deliver vital support and care directly to people impacted by the coronavirus. 

Patient Gladys will be able to keep in touch with loved ones during the pandemic, thanks to iPads donated by WPD.

With the urgent need for timely, direct support, we’ve made our first and second round of awards from our half a million-pound fund which received more than 300 applications in three weeks. In all, 174 charities, community groups and local councils have successfully secured funding, meaning around 130,000 people will directly benefit from our support so far. 

Alison Sleightholm, WPD Resources & External Affairs Director said: “We’ve been delighted by the response. We’re so pleased that we’ve been able to step up and provide direct support to grassroots organisations which are already helping families and customers through the coronavirus pandemic. Through our awards, we have been able to support a wide range of organisations from large city hospitals to smaller community groups making home cooked meals for vulnerable people. It’s wonderful to see such caring endeavours and community support during this challenging time.” 

Organisations across our operating regions in the East Midlands, West Midlands, South West England and Wales have received awards. In Birmingham, the University Hospitals Birmingham Charity has received funding for iPads on 120 wards to ensure its coronavirus patients can stay connected to their loved ones at this worrying time. We’ve also funded insulated mugs and refreshments for staff working on the frontline in challenging circumstances. In South Wales, Age Connects Cardiff and the Vale has received over £10,000 to support food and prescription deliveries, and to continue its vital telephone contact with over 2,000 older people in isolation. 

Senior Sister Marity Verad of Birmingham Hospitals accepts a donation of hand cream and a tablet.

Selston Covid-19 Volunteers received a grant to help fund their home cooked meals for hundreds of NHS staff and vulnerable people in Nottingham. In Devon, Moorvision, an organisation that supports visually impaired children, received a grant to help develop online educational resources to support the home-schooling of 680 blind or partially sighted children in the area. 

Alison continued: “Our team has worked tirelessly to get our fund running and active. I’m delighted that we‘ve been able to move quickly and support some fantastic organisations which are making a real difference to thousands of people during the pandemic. 

“Alongside the fund, our continuing work to support our vulnerable customers through our Priority Services Register and as an essential service provider working hard to keep the lights on, I’m proud of the outstanding team and community spirit I have witnessed over the past weeks as we navigate these difficult times together.”