Western Power Distribution tackles loneliness and isolation with £500,000 of charitable grants

Charities and organisations working hard to tackle loneliness and isolation have been awarded grants totalling £500,000 by electricity distributor Western Power Distribution (WPD).

The funding has come from the company’s Community Matters fund and the announcement coincides with Mental Health Awareness Week (9-15 May). Funding has been distributed across the South West, Wales, the East Midlands and the West Midlands – with each region being awarded at least £100,000 of vital funding. In total, 81 organisations of all sizes have benefitted from this round of funding.

Among the beneficiaries announced today is Pregnancy Crisis Care in the South West, a charity providing a free, confidential, and impartial counselling service to individuals and couples facing pregnancy challenges, which has been awarded £3,900. In the East Midlands, Bangladesh Youth and Cultural Shomiti has received a grant of £10,000 to help South Asian Women to come together to socialise and meet in a safe community environment.

Smiling Families Charity from the West Midlands has received £8,000 to support its important work in providing a social buddy hub. And in South Wales, Ray of Light Cancer Support has received £4,500 to provide vital emotional support to help reduce the feelings of loneliness and isolation after a diagnosis of cancer.

WPD’s Resources & External Affairs Director, Alison Sleightholm, said: “The pandemic, with its lockdowns and social distancing measures, has inevitably led to feelings of loneliness and isolation for some groups and people in the regions we serve.

“We received a record number of applications, proving that there is a serious need to tackle this growing issue. We’re pleased to be able to help by supporting charities who provide crucial interventions and help build better mental health. It’s great to see the first charities and organisations receive their grants. They are providing essential care, and that will make a real impact on local lives.”

WPD is the UK’s largest electricity distributor, responsible for delivering power to homes, businesses and vital services through its lines and cables in the South West, South Wales and the Midlands. Its Community Matters Fund is paid for by the company’s shareholders and distributes £1 million a year.

For more information, please visit www.westernpower.co.uk/community-matters-fund. Follow the fund on social media via #WPDCommunityFund