LIVING IN COALITION TIMES

The new government tell us that things will be simpler and fairer. Fuel prices continue to rise and vulnerable groups who rely on savings for their income cannot afford to heat their homes properly. The concern is that they will then reach for that old electric blanket as a means of keeping warm with possible disastrous results. Many Local Authorities see electric blanket testing, not only as highlighting the importance of electric blanket safety, but also as an opportunity to educate older people on energy efficiency.

Our hope is that the bewildering number of free schemes available to assist with energy conservation, from insulation to the provision of new boilers that are available from both the public and private sectors will be simplified and made fairer.

FIRST FEMALE ENGINEER

There are always milestones in any profession. It is said that the first female to qualify into the Weights and Measures profession did so in 1968. We at GEMS are proud to have trained the first and only female electric blanket test engineer. Jo Macdonald joined us last season and was fully trained during the year. Many clients are asking for her to return again this year.

SCAMS

It is usually the elderly that are taken in by scams or fraudsters. The victims are tricked into all manner of agreements usually involving large sums of money. An aged aunt of one of our employees was such a victim. At the age of 82, a retired teacher, who comes across as sharp as a tack, drives ‘old people’ to hospital appointments, or out for lunch, was tricked out of over £20,000 by a cowboy gardener who gained her confidence. Apart from her money, he took away her confidence to deal with her own affairs. Blanket testing is a good platform to inform this client group. How about getting funding from your scambuster team?

WEB SITE

If you google ‘electric blanket testing’ you will find tens of thousands of hits. These are usually from results and press releases from projects we have been involved in. In fact, we reckon almost 95% of all the material has been generated by our clients. From the outset we have been happy that the professionals know who we are and contact us. More recently we are being contacted by outside organisations and therefore have decided to enter cyber space. See us at www.gemselectricblankettesting.co.uk

ASSISTING THOSE MOST VULNERABLE

In any Council area there are at least 1000 vulnerable clients who receive care three times a day. These clients often spend most of their day in bed and are more than likely to be housebound. We may never see their electric blanket for testing, and they probably will never be able to attend safety days. They are unaware of all the good work and help that is available to them from all of the partners. We suggest using our expertise, to promote a project of replacements that will best suit their needs by taking into account their medical conditions. As straight replacements, are rarely successful. Client needs can then be passed on to other agencies for their interventions.

MORPHY RICHARDS VOUCHER

Every year over a thousand clients take up the offer of ‘up to 50% off’ a new blanket. The product range is chosen by us using our expertise and we feel this helps the client. This year they have agreed to extend this exclusive offer further by offering great discounts on other appliances. This mail order system makes it easier to choose the right product, saves a trip to the shops and lugging these items home.

G.E.M.S. (SW) Ltd, 687 Budshead Road, Crownhill, Plymouth, Devon, PL6 5DU Tel No: 01752 769950 or Fax No: 01752 787516