Depher CIC is UK-based social enterprise which provides free or heavily subsidised emergency plumbing and heating services to vulnerable older and disabled people. Depher stands for Disability and Elderly Plumbing and Heating Emergency Repair. The social enterprise was established in 2017 and has since supported over 17,000 people.

Depher relies significantly on public donations to cover all labour and materials, provides free services during winter months, and discounted during summer, on a range of emergency works including gas leaks, lack of heating and running hot water.

The NextEnergy Foundation is supporting Depher to address rising levels of poverty, particularly fuel-related poverty, across the UK. Together, we are providing gas and electric support support, as well as support in the form of food vouchers and school supplies, to low-income and single-parent families.

April 2022 Update: As at 21^st April, 26 individuals and families have been supported through the payment of gas and electric bills and with the distribution of food vouchers. Depher is seeing the greatest need coming from people having to choose between heating and eating. Beneficiaries have included a single father struggling to buy food who recently got full custody for 2 boys; elderly individuals and couples; and, families referred to Depher by neighbours who recognised their struggles.

Depher will be increasing the scale and scope of its support in the next months through more targeted social media campaigns. Another update will be shared in June.