Empowering our Local

William Steele, Director of Customer Solutions (NI) at Power NI, pictured with Géraldine Noé, Head of Environment at Business in the Community NI, after signing the Climate Action Pledge.

Empowering our Local Communities

During 2021, leading energy supplier Power NI celebrates two very special milestones.

The company marks a decade since its rebrand to ‘Power NI’ and, later in the year, the 90th anniversary of the inception of the Electricity Board for Northern Ireland, when the company first began looking after the electricity needs of local communities.

Fast forward 90 years and the energy industry has massively evolved but community focus, whether commercial or residential, is still the company’s mantra. To highlight that longevity and Power NI’s contribution and support for local people and communities, it has developed an overarching campaign for 2021 – #MorePowerfulTogether.

William Steele, Director of Customer Solutions (NI) explains: “As a supplier for all, our power is felt in homes, schools, communities and businesses across the province. We want to make a real impact in the places we operate, live and work. Community is such an important part of our business – whether that is the people working for us or the 490,000 homes, farms and businesses that switch on their lights with us daily.

“We believe that by all of us doing our part, we can be more powerful together. At Power NI, we aim to create our own initiatives as well as be a part of those which contribute to communities and individuals becoming more energised, creative, sustainable, and wellinformed.”

Young Farmers’ Clubs of Ulster is an organisation that Power NI has partnered with for over eight years. Like Power NI, it has been part of the fabric of Northern Ireland for many years and celebrated its 90th birthday in 2019. Power NI supported its landmark year which included events such as a beach challenge day for clubs on Portrush East Strand, as well as a choir festival in Parliament Buildings. Young Farmers’ initiatives, including the annual Club of the Year competition and an agri-food conference, have also received backing from Power NI and last year the energy

Jamie Campbell (7), Education Minister Peter Weir and Kieran Harding of Business in the Community thank Digital Champions – Power NI, Danske Bank, PSNI, Belfast Harbour, and Allstate NI – who are supporting the #DigitalDonationsAppeal, and encourage local businesses to donate devices to support young people struggling with digital connectivity.

supplier was its COVID-19 community partner, awarding grants to 15 clubs across Northern Ireland helping them support their own rural communities.

Paying tribute to Power NI, Young Farmers’ Clubs of Ulster CEO Michael Reid commented: “Partnerships are vital to keep charities like ours going. Our relationship with Power NI is not only a long one but a really enjoyable one. Like YFCU they are at the core of communities in Northern Ireland and have been a great friend during the COVID crisis.”

Power NI takes an active role in sponsoring causes that align with their values. Since 2018, they have helped to enhance the work of several organisations including the Mary Peters Trust, Culture Night Belfast, Antrim & Newtownabbey Borough Council and the Lyric Theatre.

Their expansive list of valued corporate partners – or, as they refer to them, “Friends of Power NI” – includes a decade-long partnership with Age NI. Alongside this, they have a growing relationship with NOW Group after undertaking their inclusive JAM Card training to help customer service staff to recognise when callers might need “Just a Minute”” when providing their high-quality customer service.

Other ongoing Power NI projects include Brighter Communities. This funding support programme regularly offers £1,000 to a community, sporting or charity group or club, which simply wants to build for the future and regenerate their much-loved local area.

Brighter Communities was first launched back in April 2018, with the initial funding going to Shankill Road-based cross community dance group, Olympus Girls’ Club. Since its inception, it has supported a huge range of groups and clubs from wheelchair basketball, beekeepers, vintage cyclists and young cheerleaders to street soccer, dragon racers, Early Years, and stroke recovery groups.

Winners have rolled out all sorts of intriguing and impactful projects. A recent recipient was Armagh’s Mount St Catherine’s Primary School which received funding for warm and waterproof jackets to allow the children to enjoy and learn in their outdoor classroom, despite any inclement weather. As P2 teacher Monica Jordan explained, “It makes learning much more fun and keeps everyone fit and healthy. We have happy, smiley faces every day.

“During the pandemic, it’s been particularly wonderful to have had these outdoor learning experiences and we find it has really helped pupils to feel less anxious and more focused when they return to their normal indoor surroundings.”

In March of this year, Power NI partnered with Belfast Live to recognise the contributions of Northern Ireland’s teachers during the past 12 months, with the 2021 Power NI Teaching Hero Award. The ultimate winner received £1,000 for their school and £1,000 to give themselves a well-deserved treat.

With over 400 entries, the judging panel – made up of sporting legend Lady Mary Peters and Queen’s University education lecturer Lesley Emerson – had a tough job deciding on a winner. The worthy recipient was Joanne Quinn from Hazelwood College in North Belfast, who was nominated by three of her students.

Business in the Community NI is another long-term partner. In addition to recently signing their Climate Action Pledge and promising to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, Power NI is also a Digital Champion, helping BITCNI to plug the digital gap. The company is providing a £20K funding donation to help purchase the technology needed for children and young people to get the digital access they deserve.

William Steele says: “Education for our young people will not only benefit them and their families, but also the future economy and our society in general.

“As we move forward into our post-COVID future, Power NI is committed to supporting communities across Northern Ireland and being more powerful together.”

For more information about Power NI’s commitment to communities, visit powerni. co.uk/community

P2 pupils Sophia and Lelia celebrate their school, Mount St Catherine’s PS in Armagh, securing a Power NI Brighter Communities £1,000 funding package.