A business outsourcing specialist has won a new contract to support a 100% renewable energy supplier to manage its most vulnerable or financially challenged customers through ground-breaking new service, Reach:Out.
Sigma Connected, which provides customer contact services for some of Britain’s biggest energy suppliers, has won the contract with Pure Planet through Sigma’s Reach:Out service, a unique initiative that helps customers who are struggling to pay bills to access grants and free money advice, as well as signposting to charities who can help with their wellbeing.
Reach:Out also helps customers understand how their utility suppliers can help with water or fuel poverty as research shows low awareness of this type of support.
The two-year contract award follows a successful four-week pilot of Reach:Out between the two companies, which saw 23% positive engagement from those referred over eight working days. Customers were guided back to Pure Planet so they could work together on a resolution to their debt, as well as connecting with charities such as the Samaritans, StepChange and MIND.
Gary Gilburd, CEO of Sigma Connected, said: “Our Reach:Out team was set up to provide a new solution to support and guide customers who are struggling to pay their bills. Our dedicated team of Pathfinders makes contact with the vulnerable customers and then works with them to understand more fully the support that is available to them from their creditors, then further directs them to organisations that can provide the essential help and advice they need.
“Our initial pilot with the team at Pure Planet has been a huge success and has helped a large number of previously unreachable members, so we’re delighted to be taking the next more permanent steps.
“Reach:Out is gaining more and more attention across the utilities, energy and financial sectors as companies are seeing it can give their vulnerable customers a dedicated, hand-picked team who can access financial help, advice and a pathway to general mental health support – also avoiding the need for any debt collection.
“We look forward to helping many more of Pure Planet’s members in the months ahead alongside the team at Pure Planet – a company which has really grasped vulnerability issues.”
Mark Adams, Member Services Director at Pure Planet, added: “Since the start of the pandemic we have put in place a number of measures to work with people in financial difficulties and find the best way forward that prevents debts from escalating.
“We have been impressed with the results of the Reach:Out service in supporting our more vulnerable members and are pleased to include it in Pure Planet’s already award-winning customer service offering.
“We want to give our members as much support as possible in these hard times and our simple message is that if you are struggling with your bills get in touch with us directly through the app or our online community where there are lots of articles on how to get help and support.”
Launched during the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, Reach:Out is managed by Sigma’s Sarah Henry and has been shortlisted for a variety of industry awards that are taking place in the coming months.
The initiative is backed by a Customer Charter which helps Sigma measure its service and ensure Reach:Out continues to act in the best interest of all those it supports.
For more information regarding the Reach:Out initiative, contact Sigma’s Director of Partnerships and Solutions, David Murphy, on david.murphy@sigfin.co.uk or visit www.sigmaconnected.co.uk or www.reachout.co.uk.
About Pure Planet
Pure Planet is a sustainable, digital renewable energy supplier, harnessing the power of its Members to help change the world for good. Pure Planet has led the way in making 100% renewable energy affordable and compelling to the British mass-market including becoming:
● Britain’s first energy supplier to offer both 100% renewable electricity and 100% carbon offset gas as standard.
● Britain’s first energy supplier to offer clean, renewable power and fully carbon offset gas at game-changing, value-for-money prices on all tariffs.
● Britain’s first energy supplier to provide 24/7 digital service as standard through WattBot, a personalised app and online chat with its team based in Bath, plus its large online community.
Pure Planet was founded by Andrew Ralston, Chris Alliott and Steven Day – who have helped pioneer better service and technology innovation since 1999 when Andrew and Steven helped launch Virgin Mobile in the UK, before going on to run Orange, T-Mobile and EE.
bp, which has a minority shareholding in the company, is one of the world’s leading energy companies and supports Pure Planet’s vision to offer consumers access to clean, safe and secure renewable power.
Pure Planet is a Which? Recommended Energy Provider 2020 and 2021, a Future Fifty Tech Nation company, Britain’s Number One Utility Company to Work For, a member of the Energy Switch Guarantee scheme, a Living Wage, Disability Confident, and Best Companies Three Star World Class employer, and a signatory to the UN’s Global Compact.