STARTER Packs Inverclyde has been given over £13,000 to help local homeless people stay warm this winter.

The Greenock-based charity was set up to help people make the step from the streets to their own home.

The ScottishPower Energy People Trust donated the cash to the project, which provides essential basic items, such as kitchen and bedding packs, to vulnerable people who are starting out fresh in a tenancy.

Ann Loughrey, ScottishPower’s Head of Corporate Responsibility and The ScottishPower Energy People Trust’s Company Secretary said:

“We are delighted to be able to assist this project and are positive that the grant will make a difference to the lives of vulnerable people in Greenock.

“The Trust is something special as it helps end fuel poverty by providing financial assistance to Charities and not for profit organisations who deal directly with individuals affected by it.

“Different types of support are provided, including crisis funding, benefits entitlement check, energy efficiency measures and research – all measures to help alleviate fuel poverty.”

The ScottishPower Energy People Trust was established in November 2005 to fund not-for-profit organisations that help vulnerable people including families, young people, the disabled and the elderly who need to spend more than 10% of their income on energy bills.

Starter Packs Inverclyde was launched in September 2002 by Inverclyde Churches Together. It was in response to the genuine needs of families and individuals who have accessed or are trying to access a tenancy after a period of homelessness but do not have the financial or other resources to turn that tenancy into a home.

The grant will specifically be used to purchase duvets and energy efficient light bulbs for the packs which will contain kettles, toasters, a breakfast pack and vital information on how to be energy efficient and free up finances for essential items.

Starter Packs Inverclyde is expected to assist over 1,000 individuals in the area over a three year period.

So far, the ScottishPower Energy People Trust has awarded a staggering £3.2m to 82 projects across Britain, assisting over 206,000 individuals in over 85,000 households.

For more information on Starter Packs Inverclyde, e-mail mail@starterpacksinverclyde.co.uk  or phone 01475 78714.

Further info is also available at www.starterpacksinverclyde.co.uk.

NOTE TO EDITORS

• The ScottishPower Energy People Trust does not provide funding directly to individuals but provides funding to not for profit organisations which represent the vulnerable/fuel poor. People described as living in fuel poverty are those who spend more than 10% of their income on energy bills.
• There is no time limit in organisations applying for funds as the Trust is a long term registered charity. The decisions on the awards to organisations are made independent of ScottishPower by the Board of Trustees of the charity.
• To apply for a grant from The ScottishPower Energy People Trust, log onto www.energypeopletrust.co.uk  or email enquiries@energypeopletrust.co.uk or call 0141 5684727.
• The ScottishPower Energy People Trust is just one of a number of ScottishPower initiatives which assist some of the UK’s most vulnerable people. As well as working closely with the Citizen’s Advice Bureau, ScottishPower employs Community Liaison Officers who visit people in their homes. The energy supplier has also insulated thousands of homes across the UK through its Energy Efficiency Commitment.
• In Ofgem’s Review of Suppliers’ Voluntary Initiatives to Help Vulnerable Customers (August 2007), the Trust was recognised for Best Practice as it integrated energy efficiency advice and the provision of EEC measures to help customers manage and reduce future energy expenditure.