Anglian Water is celebrating today after receiving an award for its strategy to support vulnerable customers in partnership with ReachOut by Sigma Connected, at the prestigious Credit Awards last night in London.

The Credit Awards, known as 'the Oscars of the industry', is the flagship awards for the credit and financial services industry. It recognises and celebrates innovation, best practice and the hard work of individuals, business divisions and pan-global conglomerates across the entire industry.

The water company was also shortlisted for ‘Best Response to cost-of-living crisis’ for its industry-leading package of support for its customers struggling with the increasing financial pressures of the current economy.

Last year, Anglian Water announced £135 million in customer support throughout 2023 for those struggling with the cost of living. This is the company’s largest ever support package and builds on a £65 million package announced for 2022. It will help an estimated 330,000 customers over this year.

The water company is also supporting the Government’s Household Support Fund for those in financial hardship, distributing around £2,000,000 to those who are struggling most to pay their bills. It provides additional support for customers in vulnerable circumstances through its Priority Services Register. This commitment is also reflected in achieving British ISO standard 22458: Customer Vulnerability - one of only two water companies to achieve this. And its ExtraCare team has grown significantly to better support those struggling with the increasing cost-of-living.

Pete Holland, Anglian Water’s Director of Customer and Wholesale Services said:

“With social prosperity at the heart of what we do, we’re passionate about helping our customers and their families at times when they need it most.

“We’re proud of the support that we’ve already provided, but given the incredibly challenging reality for so many, we wanted to go even further to help our customers.

“Our partnership with Sigma Connected means that through the ReachOut service they provide we’re collectively able to speak to even more of our customers about how we can help them, which is so important as the sooner we can talk, the sooner we can help. We’re delighted to have won the award for Vulnerable Customer Strategy of the Year in partnership with them.”

The water company is encouraging any customers who are struggling to contact them via their website, Twitter or Facebook accounts or calling their Extra Care Team directly on 0800 169 3630.