'We Test, You Rest'

We teamed up with Age Concern eight years ago to run the first 'We Test, You Rest' - an electric blanket testing programme which offers free tests to older people. What makes this scheme unique is that we don't only offer the tests free of charge but we also run a free repair or replacement service to make sure everyone leaves the testing day with a safe electric blanket.

'We Test, You Rest' highlights the importance of electric blanket safety; this project is as much about education and awareness as it is about the provision of free tests and replacement blankets.

Since it began, this project has helped more than 31,000 older people and has won four major community awards (three consecutive Business in the Community 'Big Ticks' awards in 2004, 2005 and 2006, and a Utility Industry Achievement Award in 2004).

In 2006, we ran two testing programmes - in March and October - and tested 5,093 blankets. Of these, over 65% failed the test and we replaced 3,321.

In addition to the established testing sessions, we also ran a trial of a blanket exchange programme where older people could bring in their old blankets for a straight swap. We exchanged 813 blankets - bringing our replacement total for 2006 to 4,134.

In October 2006, we tested our 30,000th blanket at Nottingham Fire Station.

We are now working with Age Concern to develop a new project that aims to help vulnerable older people with their energy usage - targeting fuel poverty and educating older people on how they can use energy more wisely.

GreenPlan Fund

The GreenPlan Fund is run as part of GreenPlan - our renewable energy tariff for residential customers.

For every customer on the tariff, we contribute £9 per year to the fund which is then open to applications from community and not-for-profit organisations for renewable energy generation projects.

Grants are available for up to £25,000 and in 2006 we supported the following projects:

• Ruskin Mill, Gloucestershire: a hydropower scheme for a residential education college, which provides specialist further education and independent living training for students aged between 16 and 25 with learning difficulties.
• Community Schools Network, London: four schools (St James' Catholic High School in Colindale, Stanley Junior School in Teddington, Elizabeth Garrett Anderson High School in Islington and Mill Hill High School in Mill Hill) joining together to form a renewable community network with each installing one or more renewable technologies. Schools will then work together to share experience and learnings with each other and other schools in the area.
• Wroxham School, Hertfordshire: installation of a 1kW solar array for the school. Pupils worked with engineers on the design and installation and will take part in project work with other schools - with the pupils teaching their peers about renewable energy.
• Denholme School, Bradford: installation of a 6kW wind turbine - providing approximately 25% of the school's electricity and a valuable education resource.
• Ellingham Primary School, Norfolk: Installation of 5kW wind turbine. The school is an eco-school with green flag status, and the turbine forms part of an ongoing project.