npower and the community

Community Mark - At npower, we’ve always been passionate about supporting our local communities and we’ve recently been awarded the prestigious CommunityMark from Business in the Community (BitC).

The CommunityMark is the BitC’s newest initiative. This standard has been created to recognise companies that are good investors in the community and who have brought about real and positive changes. Launched last year the CommunityMark is the only recognition of its kind in the UK and is endorsed by both Government and voluntary sector leaders. npower is the only utility business, amongst 21 other companies in the UK to receive this accolade. The aim of this award is to highlight the long term positive impact businesses can have in the community through long term commitment and investment. npower has worked within the communities in which it operates for over 50 years. During this time, the company has built sustainable relationships and launched a number of innovative and impactful community programmes.

Education - Our education commitment and dedicated education websites, npower Education, npower Climate Cops and npower Green SOS bring to life energy efficiency, renewable energy and the science and engineering behind the electricity we generate, for students and teachers. Through our range of stimulating and exciting free resources, activities and power station guided tours, young people increase their knowledge, awareness and enthusiasm for saving energy whilst gaining an insight into our ‘world of work’ - the way we use engineering and science as a business and the exciting science, technology, engineering and maths related careers. Through our new energy efficiency Greener Schools programme, launched in November 2007, we’ll be helping primary and secondary schools across the UK to become more sustainable. To engage young children in how they can save energy at home and school we created the Climate Cops - three ordinary kids seeking out ways to save energy and help the planet. Find out more about who the npower Climate Cops are, our new free multimedia Climate Cops teaching resource for 7-11 year olds and our energy saving interactive games by visiting npower Climate Cops.

Urban Cricket - npower Urban Cricket, a grassroots project run in conjunction with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), was launched in 2006 with one clear goal – to get more children playing cricket. Since its launch in 2006, npower and the ECB have distributed over 50,000 Urban Cricket kits to children in the UK.

Environment projects - We are determined to minimise the environmental impact of generating energy and have a constant commitment to improving environmental management within our company. We are also pioneers in harnessing the power of renewable energy sources such as wind power. Above and beyond our day-to-day business, we are also involved in a number of environmental community initiatives and partnerships, aiming to directly benefit the community. Biodiversity: We are committed to initiatives throughout the UK, which enhance biodiversity.

Wildlife Trust: We work in partnership with the Wildlife Trust in our key business regions to support environmental projects such as Birdwatch in Schools, Churchyard Awards and Conservation Awards. The Wildlife Trust also supports our Biodiversity Action Plans. Our environmental centre at Sutton Courtney, close to Didcot power station is managed by the Wildlife Trust and educates visitors about environmental and sustainability issues.

Fundraising - npower has a workforce with a passion for charity and we are proud to support all their fundraising efforts pound for pound. In 2007, we matched the fundraising efforts of almost 400 employees to the value of £262,000. Since 2004, Macmillan Cancer Support has been our corporate charity partner and the partnership is now valued at a staggering £2 million. Not only do we support their flagship event, World’s Biggest Coffee Morning, but we also sponsor the Walk Wonders events in May. In addition, staff raise valuable funds to help improve the lives of those living with cancer, by taking part in the London Marathon and Great North Run (as well as a whole host of other fundraising events). Our charitable-giving programme helps smaller regional charities operating in local communities and we have supported over 90 charities, donating over £404,000 in 2007 alone.

Healthy communities - One of the themes for our community investment programme is healthy communities. It focuses on the health of our staff and of the people living in our wider communities. The Warm Response Line has been set up to assist vulnerable customers, particularly those who are struggling to pay their energy bills. Its aim is to connect those in need with what they need the most. Experienced, named staff are on hand to assist customers and provide appropriate advice.

The Warm Response Team offers a package of solutions including:
• Close examination of the energy bills and payment history
• Energy advice and access to insulation measures
• Access to Warm Response Service - a priority service that provides additional help
• A benefits 'health check'
• Referral to appropriate debt advice agencies
• Payment and tariff advice