British Gas has worked in partnership with RNIB on an award winning programme called Here2Help since 2002. The Here2Help initiative aims to make one million homes warmer, safer and more comfortable. It is a service that is available to customers who receive certain income or disability related benefits - including blind and partially sighted customers.
The programme won a Business in the Community award for excellence and a cause related marketing award from The Marketing Society.
The exceptional support from British Gas has included:
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Refurbishment of homes and gardens at Wavertree House, a residential home for blind people in Sussex
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Funding of a pre-employment course for unemployed blind and partially sighted people
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Conducting a sponsored walk from John O'Groats to Lands End to fund gardens at the redevelopment of RNIB Pears Centre, a residential educational facility for blind and partially sighted people with complex needs
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Secondments to the Corporate Fundraising Team
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Extensive employee volunteering
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Support of our vital Helpline service
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Regular generous donations by staff via payroll giving
British Gas have also supported blind and partially sighted people live more independently by providing free insulation and products and services. They provide a benefits check which has enabled vulnerable customers to identify more than £3.5 million of unclaimed benefits. The 28,000 free products they have delivered have a value of more than £150,000.
"British Gas and RNIB have been in partnership since 2002. Throughout this time RNIB have been able to greatly benefit us by providing further help and support to our customers with sight difficulty.
We have also launched a volunteering programme with RNIB allowing our employees to experience the charity and gain an in-depth understanding of the benefits the charity provides to the local community as well as developing their own skills and behaviours through the volunteering programme."
Chris Tate, Head of CSR, British Gas
Find out more about corporate partnerships
To find out more about becoming an RNIB corporate partner, please email us at fundraising@rnib.org.uk or call us on 0845 345 0054 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm).