Pennant Walters has answered a plea from Business in the Community (BITC) to help support nearly 60 households in the region with cold weather essentials.
Linking with BITC, the local energy company has provided funding to allow blankets and hot water bottles to be bought and distributed through partners, such as the Citizens Advice Bureau Pontypridd and the Beacon Housing Association.
With one in seven households in Rhondda Cynon Taf living in fuel poverty in 2022[1] the blankets and hot water bottles were distributed to those in the Rhondda Cynon Taf region who needed them most. Citizens Advice Bureau Pontypridd offered them to families who made contact regarding energy advice through its Mountain Ash and Pontypridd offices, whilst Beacon Housing Association distributed via community organisations in the RCT area and local schools.
Data shows that nearly one in four people in the Rhondda Cynon Taf region are likely to be living in poor quality housing, compared to the Wales average of two in 10. In addition, Rhondda Cynon Taf is ranked as the fourth most deprived local authority area in Wales with 17.5% of the region falling into the top 10% of deprived areas across Wales.
Dale Hart, Managing Director at Pennant Walters, said:
“We know just how much the cost of living crisis is affecting people, and we were only too happy to support the work of BITC. We are pleased that this partnership will go some way to helping local families and are delighted that Beacon Housing Association and Citizens Advice Bureau have ensured that these items have gone to those people who need them the most.”
Tracy Rees, Wales Director at Business in the Community, said:
“At BITC, we know the power of convening businesses to transform lives, help communities thrive, and create meaningful impact. In recent months, we have experienced flooding in South Wales, as well as the cold and harsh winter months, and we wanted to support the households that needed it most by providing blankets and hot water bottles to those that are struggling to afford to heat their homes.
“A huge thank you to Pennant Walters for their generous funding and to Citizens Advice Bureau Pontypridd and Beacon Housing Association for supporting with the distribution of the blankets and hot water bottles.”
The funding was secured from Pennant Walters, which has a fund linked to two wind farms in the Gilfach Goch and Blackmill areas, Pant y Wal in the county of Bridgend, and Fforch Nest, which straddles the border of Bridgend and Rhondda Cynon Taf. The two sites have a total of 21 turbines producing 53 megawatts of clean electricity – enough to power the equivalent of 25,000 homes. It builds on previous donations, which have seen the company provide money to support various local community groups.