Ideal Heating has made a ‘significant donation’ to Shropshire social housing provider Wrekin Housing Group, which provides over 13,000 homes for affordable rent and low-cost ownership across the West Midlands.
Ideal Heating has a long-standing relationship with Wrekin Housing Group and has been the company’s preferred supplier for eight years.
The donation supports the housing group’s Warm Home Pack initiative, which is providing tenants with essential items amid high energy prices and the rising cost of living.
The initiative provides households with vital support items, including heated blankets, slow cookers, thermal socks, draught excluders, hot water bottles and winter essential packs.
For every Ideal boiler fitted in a Wrekin property, £15 is donated to support social value activities such as the Warm Home Packs.
David Wells, Executive Director of Operational Services at The Wrekin Housing Group, said: “Each boiler purchased from Ideal means we can make a difference to peoples’ lives through our Warm Home Packs. This helps us support our tenants who are struggling as a result of the energy price rises and cost of living crisis. This is another great example of how we can work together with our partners to benefit Wrekin customers.”
Wrekin Housing Group has also launched a new e-voucher scheme, supported by Ideal Heating, for its tenants.
E-vouchers can be used by tenants to cover the cost of essential gas safety checks and provide financial support for those most in need.
One customer, who lives with fibromyalgia and was gifted a heated blanket through the partnership, said: “I really appreciate the help and cannot believe that my housing provider was good enough to supply this – it’s a wonderful service.”
Another customer living with a number of health conditions has received a slow cooker and a thermal flask, enabling her to cook healthy meals and reduce her gas consumption, as well as boil her kettle less.
The partnership between Ideal Heating and Wrekin Housing saw them named runners-up in ‘Best Social Value Collaboration’ at the 2023 Social Value Leadership Group Awards.
Stevie Spinks, Divisional Sales Director for Social Housing at Ideal Heating, said: “Keeping homes warm and dry has been at the heart of our business for over a century. However, we know the rising cost of living has created extremely difficult circumstances for many families and households across the UK.
“Through our existing relationship with Wrekin Housing Group, we were delighted to be able to support them in the vital work they do across the West Midlands, which continues to make a real difference to people and communities.
