Supporting our team, communities and the NHS in the fight against COVID-19
Press enquiries
If you are a journalist with a media enquiry, please contact our Press Office by email at pressoffice@ecotricity.co.uk
For all other general enquiries, please call 01453 756 111 or email home@ecotricity.co.uk.
When we first set up in 1996, we were the world’s first green energy company. Our purpose remains the same: to change the way energy is made and used in Britain and to fight the climate crisis.
We care very much about what’s going on in the world right now, and as coronavirus sweeps the globe, we want to make sure you know that our values have not changed. We strive to be an open, fair and ethical business and always aim to do what is right.
Amidst all the hard work, worry and loss, there are chinks of light to be seen in the way companies and individuals are reacting to the global pandemic. We want to update you on some of the ways we’ve been doing our bit – like many others – to help. From supporting our team and communities, to providing food and housing to key workers.
We like to change the flag on our headquarters building in Stroud from time to time - to reflect the times we live in. And today, we’ve put up a large rainbow flag, to express support, admiration and thanks to all frontline workers. Not just NHS and care sector workers, but also supermarket workers, bus & train drivers, recyclers, waste collectors, delivery drivers and many more - all people that have been doing their jobs through this crisis, at risk to themselves - to help us all.
We’ve also published a number of blogs on everything from how to reduce your energy bills when working from home to building a bee hotel with the kids so you can still play your part in creating a greener Britain.
Supporting our heroes in the NHS
Free housing for key NHS workers
You may have seen in the news that we opened the Forest Green Rovers Players Hostel to local front line workers. Many key workers are struggling to work on the front line, caring for the sick, while also isolating themselves from families and loved ones to keep them safe.
Understandably, many hostels and hotels have closed their doors. With all football league games postponed until further notice, Forest Green Rovers Players Hostel seemed like the perfect place for NHS workers to call a temporary home.
We’re delighted that the hostel is now full, providing 12 NHS key workers with somewhere safe to stay for the next two or three months.
FGR is not only the greenest football club in the world, but is also committed to helping local communities here in Gloucestershire and across the country live healthy sustainable lives and protect the environment.
Vegan food for the new NHS Nightingale Hospital London
Devil’s Kitchen has been serving delicious vegan food to Forest Green Rovers players and thousands of fans on match weekends since 2015, making FGR the only vegan club on the planet.
The new NHS Nightingale Hospital opened in London in early April and our Devil’s Kitchen team has already supplied staff there with 75,000 spicy vegan balls. They went down a storm and orders for more are coming in.
And to go that extra mile, we’re donating all proceeds back into the NHS.
Offering overspill space to the NHS
We’ve also offered the use of FGR’s home ground, The New Lawn, and our own Unicorn House to the NHS in case they need overspill space.
Supporting our local communities
Donating food and drink to food banks across Gloucestershire
We’re committed to supporting our local communities in any way we can, especially people who are struggling to put food on the table. We know how much of a strain this can be, so we’ve donated thousands of pounds worth of food and drink to food banks around Gloucestershire to help those who need it most.
To find out whether you qualify for foodbank support, how to use the service and where your local foodbank is, go to TrusselTrust.org or contact your local Citizens’ Advice Bureau or local council.
Donating soap and hand-wash to local care homes
Forest Green Rovers have also been busy, delivering bulk quantities of soap and hand-wash to local care homes and organisations (like food banks) around the Stroud District. Thanks to FGR sponsor, Faith in Nature, the hand-wash is created using grass cuttings from FGR's eco-stadium The New Lawn.
Faith in Nature wrote on social media: “We’re honoured that we are able to donate our products to the UK key workers who need naturally powerful products at this time. Thanks to them, our faith in human nature is very much alive!”
Supporting our team
Committed to working from home
Since the lockdown began on 16 March, employees at Ecotricity have embraced working from home across all areas of our business. From contact centre advisors to our management team, we’ve reduced the number of employees in our offices from over 700 to less than 20.
We’ve bought new equipment, implemented new IT systems and temporarily closed some buildings in an effort to reduce the risk to our teams and lessen our environmental impact at the same time.
We’ve gone from being an office-centric company to a decentralised home-based organisation in just a few days and so far, it’s working well. We’re still able to serve our customers while maintaining social distancing rules and keeping staff safe at home.
We’re here if you need us
We really appreciate your patience right now. Where possible, we encourage you to manage your account online if you can. This will help us to help our more vulnerable customers.
We know that not everything can be done online, so if it’s an emergency you can call 0345 555 7 100 between 8:30am and 6pm Monday to Friday, 9am and 5pm Saturday and between 9:00am and 5pm on a Sunday please call 01453 373033.
Our coronavirus (COVID-19) updates
We’re keeping a close eye on the government’s advice regarding Coronavirus/COVID-19 and if you have any concerns about your energy supply or topping up your pre-pay meter go to our support pages.
If you need advice on symptoms and how to stay safe, keep an eye on the gov.uk website.
We’re all in this together.
Similar articles
Ecotricity Explains: Smart meters
Smart meters aren’t just good for helping you budget - they also have a key part to play in the path to net zero. Smart meters are free, so they’re a simple change you can make to green up your house.
Save the date: Earthfest 2024
This month, we’re excited to be exhibiting at London’s flagship sustainability event, Earthfest! Spanning over four days, Earthfest is a hub for positive change, with 50 businesses, 100 keynote speakers and 30 schools getting involved.
Business Energy: How to Avoid Price Shocks
Climate change is presenting a new set of energy supply challenges for Britain. However, for our behind-the-meter Merchant Energy customers, navigating through energy market turmoil has been relatively smooth.