This is why you can ask 1,300 gas workers for help during the coronavirus crisis

NGN, the North of England’s gas distributor, has introduced an unlimited community volunteering policy – which means all employees can carry out unlimited, paid voluntary work in local communities during their work hours – fitting these charitable acts around their day jobs.

The company, which serves over 2.7 million homes and businesses, is continuing to maintain the region’s gas network and provide an emergency response service for customers who smell gas. However, non-urgent works have been suspended – freeing up some capacity among front line and back office employees.

In response to the current pandemic, Northern Gas Networks has extended its offer of support to community partners throughout the network and is encouraging organisations, charities and local businesses to get in touch at [email protected] Horsley, Chief Executive of Northern Gas Networks said: “These are extraordinarily challenging times, and I believe they demand an extraordinary response from utility companies. We have a critical role to continue to provide the regions gas emergency service and carry out essential maintenance work to keep the gas flowing, but our responsibility goes much further than that.

“As a business based at the heart of the communities that we serve, we have a duty to look after the wellbeing of our people, customers and communities. That’s why we’ve made the decision to extend our paid volunteering programme to all colleagues indefinitely so that they can support vulnerable people during the coronavirus lockdown.

“Our message to our 1,300 staff has been, ‘Do what you can, when you can, and we will support you.’ And our message to our customers and community partners is, ‘If you need us, just ask.’”

“We’re had an incredible response from staff to our new policy and call for volunteers, from colleagues making surgical gowns for NHS staff, helping out at local hospices, delivering essential food supplies and making daily calls to customers that are isolated in their homes. One colleague spent the weekend making 80 takeaway curries from his home kitchen, which were delivered to local doorsteps, with the money raised donated to the York Hospital charity.”