Vulnerability fund 2022

Yorkshire Water has launched a second vulnerability partnership fund, which will allocate up to £35,000 to local charities and organisations working with vulnerable people.   

The fund will support charities and organisations in raising awareness of Yorkshire Water’s priority services register (PSR) and encouraging people to sign up to the free service. Last year’s fund saw seven charities encourage over 1,500 sign ups to the water company’s PSR. 

The priority services help customers that might need extra support when communicating with Yorkshire Water, those who may be significantly impacted if they can’t access water for a short period of time, or people who would like to tailor their account so that a loved one or carer can manage it on their behalf. 

Yorkshire Water's vulnerability fund allows each organisation to bid for up to £5,000 in funding. 

Ash Roberts, public safety and safeguarding manager at Yorkshire Water, said: “Customers often tell us how important the priority services are to them, so we want to raise as much awareness as possible and ensure they can be accessed by anyone that needs them.  

“By registering for the priority services, customers can explain any additional needs they may have, whether that is naming someone else to take care of their account, informing us they require Braille or audio letters, or telling us they need additional support if their water supply is interrupted. 

“Signing up to the PSR helps us understand customer needs in the event of planned work, or an emergency repair, so we can make sure they get the assistance they need as soon as possible. 

“To help us raise awareness of these priority services, we’re looking for likeminded organisations and charities to come forward and bid for our vulnerability fund. Applicants should have a plan for raising awareness and encouraging sign ups to the priority services register. It may be the funding compliments existing activity, is bespoke, or is part funding towards something larger, but the aim is to ensure people in Yorkshire who may benefit are aware of it and able to sign up.” 

Applications for the fund will close on 4th Feb and more information about the PSR and the application process can be found on our partner resource site www.yorkshirewater.com/partner-resources