Energy supplier OVO is providing a significant financial lifeline to UK households, with a new initiative that could save families an average of up to £360 per year on their bills. The support comes as part of the company's 'OVO in the Community' events, which have been touring towns and cities to tackle fuel poverty head-on.
Free Products and Direct Support for Struggling Families
Throughout recent weeks, OVO has held events in multiple locations including Stornoway, Inverness, Glasgow, Dundee, Newport, Swansea, London, Portsmouth, Coventry, Newcastle, and Bristol. At these gatherings, the firm distributed thousands of free energy-saving devices directly to residents.
The giveaway included four key freebies:
- 1,489 electric throws to provide efficient personal heating.
- 1,268 solar battery banks for portable, renewable power.
- 882 smart thermostats to optimise home heating systems.
- 305 packs of energy-efficient lightbulbs.
Alongside the physical products, experts were on hand to provide personalised energy-efficiency guidance, which together form a package designed to cut household costs substantially.
Charity Partnerships and Broader Financial Aid
The events were not run in isolation. OVO collaborated with several major charities to offer holistic support. Attendees could access advice from fuel poverty charities Scope and StepChange, as well as Samaritans, Income Max, and Warm Welcome. This ensured that visitors received not just products, but also crucial debt advice and emotional support.
Steve Donovan, Vulnerable Customer Lead at OVO, stated: “We know that people are worried about their energy bills this winter, and OVO in the Community events are designed to provide support to those who need it most. We would like to thank our charity partners for their help in making our support package even more accessible.”
A Long-Term Commitment and Call for a Social Tariff
This initiative is part of a much larger support effort from OVO. Since 2022, the company has provided £190 million in customer support, assisting 42,000 customers last year alone. Its comprehensive support package can include everything from heated blankets and smart sockets to major home improvements like loft insulation, new boilers, and even heat pumps for eligible customers.
Other forms of aid offered by OVO include Direct Debit reductions, emergency credit top-ups, and extended repayment plans. For those in the most severe financial difficulty, a specialist team is available to provide targeted help.
Beyond its direct actions, OVO is also advocating for systemic change. The supplier is publicly calling for the introduction of a social tariff to protect vulnerable households who cannot afford to heat their homes during the ongoing period of high energy prices.
