Meet our partners

From local charities to strategic partners, we’re proud to work with, support and invest in organisations which make a huge difference to thousands of lives throughout the North West.

Our customers tell us it can often be tricky to find the right support personalised to their circumstances, so our Partnership page is dedicated to incredible organisations and services across the UK who have friendly and highly experienced experts ready to answer your call and provide the extra support you may need.

To use this page simply click on the theme that best describes your concern and follow the signposting to access a little extra care.

Remember to sign up to the PSR, our free Extra Care register too for extra support and advice in the event of a power outage.

Important – Danger to life or medical emergency: If you are in a situation where there is a threat to safety, life or property, contact the emergency services immediately by calling 999.

Extra care from charity experts

Citizens Advice

We can all face problems that seem complicated or intimidating. At Citizens Advice they believe no one should have to face these problems without good quality, independent advice.

Our strategic partnership with Citizens Advice gives people the knowledge and the confidence they need to find their way forward - whoever they are, and whatever their problem.

To contact their advice line, dedicated to Electricity North West customers call: 0808 169 9924 or visit https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/ for more information on their wide range of services. You can also ask any Electricity North West colleague for a direct referral.

Remember, if you require any of our communications in an alternative format, please let us know. You can contact us by emailing extracare@enwl.co.uk or by calling us on 0800 195 41 41

RNIB

The RNIB helpline is open 8am – 8pm on weekdays and 9am – 1pm on Saturdays and can be reached by calling Tel: 0303 123 9999

If you prefer to can also reach them through Alexa, simply say "Alexa, call the RNIB Helpline"

Macmillan Cancer Support

Macmillan knows cancer throws a lot your way, and from the moment you’re told you may be overwhelmed by the number of thoughts and questions you have about cancer. Questions both big and small, with one leading to another and another. Whatever you need to ask, Macmillan is here to help and will do whatever it takes to support you.

Contact the Macmillan Helpline for free on 0808 239 06 25. They're open, 7 days a week, 8am to 8pm.

https://www.macmillan.org.uk/

Remeber, if you are in a situation where there is a threat to safety, life or property involving a child, contact the emergency services immediately by calling 999.

NSPCC

If you have any concerns at all about a child’s safety or wellbeing, you can contact the NSPCC. Due to an increase in demand across their service, their voice Helpline is temporarily unavailable. However, you can email help@NSPCC.org.uk at any time. It’s free and you don’t have to say who you are.

Onside Youth Zones

Youth Zones are purpose-built spaces fizzing with energy and crammed with incredible facilities. These youth centres provide local young people aged between eight and 19, or up to 25 with a disability, affordable access to high-quality sports, arts and leisure facilities and activities, seven days a week, 52 weeks a year.

Find a youth zone near you by visiting: https://www.onsideyouthzones.org/the-youth-zone-model/our-youth-zones/

Girl Guiding North West

Girl Guide Units are all over the North West. To find a local Rainbow, Brownie, Guide or Ranger unit for your child, start by registering online. Once you start the registration process you can search in a map for units near you.

Find out more by visiting: https://www.girlguiding.org.uk/get-involved/finding-your-nearest-unit/

They could even earn the free Electricity North West ‘Girl Power’ badge!

Take Charge is funded by Electricity North West and delivered in partnership with Citizens Advice in the North West and the Energy Saving Trust.

Take Charge is here to help you reduce your energy bills, get support with debt, access benefits and financial support, and even secure funding for

To find out more and access support to Take Charge today...

Call us: 0808 169 9924

Website: www.takechargetoday.co.uk

When you’re going through divorce and separation it can be really hard to find support from others who know what you’re going through.

It can be an extremely isolating time and sometimes it is nice to know that there are others who know how you are feeling and can understand how difficult it is.

Gingerbread

Gingerbread is a single parent charity offering a wealth of support. You can access their online community by visiting https://www.gingerbread.org.uk/what-we-do/advice_and_support_for_single_parents/ or call their helpline on 0808 802 0925

Remember, if you are in a situation where there is a threat to safety, life or property, contact the emergency services immediately by calling 999.

Refuge National Domestic Abuse Helpline

The Refuge Helpline team is delivered through highly trained, female advisers. They won’t judge you or tell you what to do; they are there to listen.

The freephone, 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline is: 0808 2000 247

If it’s tricky to talk, you can also chat to the team online by visiting their website https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/

Take Charge is funded by Electricity North West and delivered in partnership with Citizens Advice in the North West and the Energy Saving Trust.

Take Charge is here to help you reduce your energy bills, get support with debt, access benefits and financial support, and even secure advice and funding for energy efficient home improvements.

To find out more and access support to Take Charge today...

Call us: 0808 169 9924

Website: www.takechargetoday.co.uk

How can I spot an energy scam?

Unfortunately energy scams are on the rise. Scammers never stop looking for new and innovative ways to help you part with your money. But the best way to spot an energy scam is to stay vigilant and know what to look out for.

Here are some key signs that a scammer is at work:

You suspect you’re not dealing with a real company
A deal looks too good to be true
You’re being pressured to transfer money quickly
You’ve been asked to pay in an unusual way
You’ve been asked to give away personal information such as passwords or PIN numbers.

How can I protect myself?

If you have any doubts about a message, contact the organisation directly
Don't use the numbers or address in the message, use the details from their official website
Your bank or any other official source will never ask you to supply personal information via email
If you've received an email which you're not quite sure about, forward it to report@phishing.gov.uk.

What to do if you think you’ve spotted a scam?

If you think you’ve spotted a scam but haven’t yet given away any personal information or money, you can contact Citizens Advice for support.

If you’ve handed over any financial and personal information or made a payment, you should talk to your bank or card company immediately. You should also report the scam to Action Fraud and Citizens Advice. By reporting scams, you can help reduce the chances of someone else getting defrauded.

If you're struggling to access food, a food bank or food club may be able to help.

What is a food bank?

Food banks are for people in crisis with no other means of accessing or affording food and supplies. A referral is often needed to access a food bank.

What is a food club?

Food clubs are small community groups that aim to help provide food for people who live in their neighbourhood or local area. They run once a week in a local community space and offer opportunities to socialise with your neighbours while you pick up your food. You don't usually need a formal referral to visit your local food club, but some of them are membership-only so you should check on their website or social media pages before you go to make sure.

There's usually a small weekly fee (between £3 - £5) to go to a food club, and you might not always pick up all the food you'll need, but the aim is to save you money in the long run, and they can be a great way to try out new foods without worrying about spending money on things you or your family won't end up liking.

Every food club works slightly differently. Watch the video below from our partners at The Bread & Butter Thing to find out more...

Where can I find my nearest food bank or food club?

Food banks and food clubs can be found throughout the North West. If you’re unsure where to start, try the Independent Food Aid Network interactive map to find an independent food bank – local to you. Remember many church groups and national food banks like the Trussell Trust may also be able to help.

Independent Food Banks.png

Take Charge

Take Charge is here to help you reduce your energy bills, get support with debt, access benefits and financial support, and even secure funding for energy efficient home improvements.

It’s funded by Electricity North West and delivered in partnership with Citizens Advice in the North West and Energy Saving Trust.

Are you ready to Take Charge? Let’s get started!

Call us: 0808 169 9924

If you smell gas or suspect CO2 poisoning it’s important you act immediately.

Call the National Gas Emergency service number 0800 111 999

Remember:

Extinguish all naked flames and do not smoke.
Don’t operate electrical switches (including turning light switches on or off) because this can ignite escaping gas.
If you’re feeling unwell, visit your GP or hospital immediately and let them know you may have been exposed to carbon monoxide.
Don’t turn the gas supply on again until it’s been checked by a Gas Safe registered engineer.

Go Low Today!

Moving to net zero will mean major changes to the way we all use energy. From updating heating systems in our homes and switching to electric vehicles, Electricity North West is here to help your understanding of these new technologies, with our free expert advice service.

Electricity North West provide this free service to help you make the right decisions – we will not try to sell/promote any low carbon technologies – just give you expert advice so you decide when you want to Take Charge and Go Low…

Get in touch with our experts for more information

Call: 0800 988 1731

Visit: Go low today - Shape your energy future

If you, or the person you are with, is at immediate risk of taking their own life call 999 or visit your local A&E

Samaritans

Whatever you're going through, a Samaritan will face it with you. They're there 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Call 116 123 for free or visit https://www.samaritans.org/

SANEline.

If you're experiencing a mental health problem or supporting someone else, you can call SANEline on 0300 304 7000 (4.30pm–10.30pm every day).

If you are having thoughts of suicide, are harming yourself or have thought about self-harm, it's important to tell someone.

These thoughts and feelings can be complex, frightening and confusing, but you do not have to struggle alone.

If you cannot wait to see a doctor and feel unable to cope or keep yourself safe, contact one of the organisations below to get support right away.

999

In a life-threatening emergency, phone 999 emergency services and ask for an ambulance.

Samaritans

When life is tough, Samaritans are here to listen at any time of the day or night. You can talk to them about anything that's troubling you, no matter how difficult:

Call free on 116 123

Calm

CALM is the Campaign Against Living Miserably, for people in the UK who are down or have hit a wall for any reason:

Call 0800 58 58 58 (daily, 5pm to midnight)

Across our region, leisure centres, cafés, hair dressers and more have transformed into free, safe, warm spaces, offering friendly companionship and a warm environment to spend your leisure time, what ever the weather

What is a warm space?

A warm space, is a free, friendly, safe and warm space you can access within your community. They may also be called warm spots, warm hubs, warm welcome etc.

Some warm spaces also offer a range of extra support services relating to the cost-of-living crisis (e.g. benefit support, debt advice, foodbanks, energy efficiency ideas/equipment etc).

Watch the video below from 'Warm Welcome' to find out more...

Where can I find a warm space?

Warm spaces are popping up across our region. Contact your local council for more information or take a look at Warm Welcome's interactive map.

Meet our partners