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Wales & West Utilities has stepped in to provide much needed IT support to volunteers at a Pontypool centre which will help them support carers in the area.
The gas pipeline and emergency service answered a plea from Torfaen Carers Centre to provide IT training and now six volunteers have a solid grounding in using all IT equipment at the centre.
The training comes a month after fourteen colleagues from Wales & West Utilities carried out a makeover, scrubbing, cleaning and painting the centre in a DIY SOS-style event. The project was completed after business-led charity Business in the Community (BITC) Cymru linked the two organisations.
Located in Pontypool town centre, the venue offers support and advice for carers living across the borough. Established by Pontypool Mencap and Torfaen Carers Group in March 2005, it provides a one stop shop where carers can obtain information about a whole range of issues including respite care, transport and personal care for the person they care for.
Centre Manager at Torfaen Carers Centre, Louise Alderman-Hook, explains the need:
“We were extremely grateful that, as well as the makeover, Wales & West Utilities kindly donated a new laptop. We have recently installed new software and also have new equipment, which not all volunteers had experience of using. We were thrilled when colleagues from Wales & West Utilities offered their help.
“They spent half a day training us so that we all have knowledge of the different systems. The training might have been basic but it was exactly what we needed. It’s made such a difference to our volunteers which will now enhance our offering to the local community.”
Wales & West Utilities is the current Business in the Community (BITC) Wales Responsible Large Business of the Year after being recognised for its commitment to responsible business and success in embedding responsible business practices throughout its operations.
Adrian Coggan, Senior IT Infrastructure Analyst at Wales & West Utilities, helped provide the training to the volunteers and said:
“We were only too happy to provide further help to the centre. New technology can be daunting and we hope that providing this training has helped break down some of the barriers and fears the volunteers had. As a values-based company, we’re really proud to be able to play our part in the local community, and are delighted that the training has provided a much needed confidence boost and hope that it will make a difference to all the people that use the centre.”
Wales & West Utilities, the gas emergency and pipeline service, takes pride in serving Wales and the south west of England. If anyone smells gas, thinks they have a gas leak, or suspects carbon monoxide poisoning, they should call us on 0800 111 999 and our engineers will be there to help, day or night.
The company also has a multi-million pound, 30-year gas pipe investment programme which began in 2002. Old metal pipes within 30 metres of buildings are being replaced with new long-lasting plastic pipes with a lifespan of more than 80 years, to make sure homes and businesses continue to receive a safe and reliable gas supply now and in the future.
