A new campaign to ensure There’s No Place Like Home

On Zero Discrimination Day, we’re announcing our support on the launch of the #WeAreAble campaign.

Home is where the heart is and where comfort and security lie, which is why We Are vulnerAble, a campaign to empower thousands of people with additional needs to live independently and safely in their own homes, has been launched.

Funded by the Vulnerability and Carbon Monoxide Allowance (VCMA), this powerful visual campaign is set to inform and educate individuals in vulnerable situations that there is support available so they can live independently and safely at home. In addition, it aims to reassure those who care for them that independence is possible and how to achieve it.

At the heart of We Are vulnerAble is a comprehensive, accessible hub packed with the practical information to break down barriers and enable independent living at home for more people. By telling the stories of individuals from diverse backgrounds, all of whom have their own challenges, the hub illustrates that independent living at home can happen with the proper guidance and support.

The accessible, easy-to-navigate platform hosts a wealth of checklists, how-to guides from trusted partners, and resources such as the Priority Services Register (PSR). The PSR is free and offers people with additional communication, access or safety needs help and support if something goes wrong with their utility services.

Dom Hyams, Head of Strategy at Purple Goat, says: “For so many people, practical information to aid independence and support in the home environment is difficult to find. The We Are vulnerAble hub is a unique, empowering offering packed with insights, tips and resources for those with additional needs and packages them up on an extremely digestible platform. I can’t wait to see how it grows and how the community unfolds. This information isn’t for ‘other’ people, but it’s helpful for everyone to understand and ensure we’re removing barriers and creating equal opportunities."

Phil Burrows, Head of Customer Vulnerability Delivery at Cadent, adds: “As the largest distribution network in Great Britain, we are committed to providing help and support to all our customers across our communities. It’s often difficult for people to know where to go for assistance, which is why the We Are vulnerAble hub is such a vital collaboration and partnership. It sounds simple but being able to access all the information you need in one place can put minds at rest and open up a new world of independent living. The portal will contain information about signing up for the PSR, and we encourage all our eligible customers to do this, so we can give them the right help when they need it most.”

Helen Dolphin, MBE, says: “Until I took part in this campaign, I had absolutely no idea there was such a thing as the PSR. Since becoming disabled in my early 20s I’ve done everything I can to be as independent as possible, and I’ve always shied away from signing up for things which made me feel more disabled. However, this register is just there to make you feel a little bit more secure and actually less vulnerable on the odd occasion that you do lose your power or another essential service. This is why I’m now signed up and encouraging others to do the same.”

People can help spread the message of the We Are vulnerAble campaign by:

• Following the #WeAreAble hashtag, sharing stories and interacting with posts from the campaign.
• Signing up for the newsletter.
• Contacting us directly to share stories so they can be featured on the hub.
• Sharing top tips for how people facing barriers at home can live a safe, independent life.

To find out more, email [email protected]

ENDS