National partnerships programme
Our national partnerships programme has worked with lots of partners targeting a variety of groups. From a partnership with the Post Office to provide smart meter information to local communities, to working with Age UK to deliver a multi-channel partnership that reached an older population. The national partnerships programme uses large scale partnerships to reach people across Great Britain.
The programme has reached and benefited a variety of communities, including, but not limited to:
- People in the D/deaf community
- Adults aged over 65
- Low income individuals and households
- Housing association tenants
- People who are off mains gas
- Consumers who are on prepay
All of our partnerships are unique. Activity is tailored to each organisation and audience, for example we partnered with PayPoint to create engaging communications to specifically reach prepay customers.
We have also worked with Citizens Advice to ensure those who would benefit the most from smart meters are provided with information from one of the most trusted sources in Britain.
English Football League (EFL)
Smart Energy GB has a multi-year partnership with the English Football League (EFL), the largest single body of professional football clubs in Europe. Spanning the breadth of England and Wales, this partnership gives us routes to 72 sets of fans. Working together allows us to use the trust of the EFL, the power of the club badge and the affinity fans have to their team, to deliver smart meter messaging.
The partnership has, and continues to, involve a range of activity. From local club activations and integration into community outreach programmes, to a dedicated microsite full of football related content and mass advertising at Wembley finals. This partnership uses a host of touch points to highlight the budgeting and energy management benefits of smart meters.
The positive impact of the partnership was felt by many football fans.
Dave, Blackpool fan
“By seeing when my usage is high, I can identify which devices are eating my money the quickest. This allows me to change my usage for the better.”
Alan, Rotherham fan
“I got a smart meter not only to save money, but to help with my knee disability. I am unable to read my meters because of the position they are in.
It has been a godsend to me. The smart meter enabled me to have a bill with the correct reading, instead of an estimate.
It has therefore been great to be able to economise and note which appliances use the most energy”
Billy, Portsmouth fan
“The best thing about my smart meter is not needing to submit meter readings. I now have no more estimated bills and there is zero effort required.
The display is also great for seeing how much energy I am using (I only have electric) which can be surprising! Who knew a kettle was so energy-thirsty?
Overall, smart meters make my life easier and can help keep my bills low by showing me my usage!”
RNID
In 2021 we partnered with RNID. RNID are the national hearing loss charity working to make life fully inclusive for D/deaf people and those with hearing loss or tinnitus.
Together we created bespoke films and accessible content using BSL. The accessible content was promoted across RNID’s website, social media channels and communications with their members.
All content highlighted the budgeting and energy management benefits of smart meters as well as automated readings which are seen as a key benefit to RNID’s members.
Agility Eco
We partnered with AgilityEco who are a recognised sector leader in delivering carbon-reduction and fuel poverty services. AgilityEco worked with households who are on a low income to inform them of the personal benefits a smart meter could provide.
The funding from Smart Energy GB allowed AgilityEco to discuss the benefits of smart meters in more depth, and enhance the support available for their beneficiaries. They were able to explain how an in-home display could support individuals and families on topics such as budgeting and energy usage
The partnership involved the creation and execution of a bespoke social media campaign raising mass awareness online, as well as providing one-to-one telephone support to individuals.
National Trust
We have previously partnered with the National Trust, who themselves are installing smart meters in their properties, to reach their visitors and highlight the environmental benefits of smart meters.
We launched the 'Travel to 2050' experience in which we showed visitors what a low carbon, energy-efficient future might look like - and what could happen to nature and the places we love if we don't act to tackle climate change.
This partnership inspired National Trust visitors to consider how individual actions, such as getting and using a smart meter, could help to upgrade the nation's energy infrastructure and combat climate change.
We have previously partnered with the National Trust, who themselves are installing smart meters in their properties, to reach their visitors and members and to highlight the environmental benefits of smart meters.
We launched the 'Travel to 2050' experience in which we showed visitors what a low carbon, energy-efficient future might look like - and what could happen to nature and the places we love if we don't act to tackle climate change.
This partnership inspired National Trust visitors to consider how individual actions, such as getting and using a smart meter, could help to upgrade the nation's energy infrastructure and combat climate change.
RHS
We partnered with the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) for multiple years to engage with visitors at their flower shows and promote smart meter benefits through RHS digital channels.
The pinnacle of the partnership was our show garden at RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival.
We worked with award-winning garden designer Matthew Childs to create the Smart Meter Garden, which, along with the wider partnership communications aimed to promote the small steps we can all take to help the environment such as getting a smart meter or planting a tree.
"The garden is inspired by a quote from philosopher and artist Rabindranath Tagore: 'The one who plants trees, knowing that he will never sit in their shade, has at least started to understand the meaning of life'. Planting trees and the benefit they have in terms of reducing CO2 in the atmosphere was the metaphor for getting a smart meter and how small individual changes can have a much wider reaching impact on the environment."
Matthew Childs
If you are interested in becoming a partner, please get in contact with us at [email protected].