Affinity Water has partnered with Kidney Care UK, the UK’s leading kidney patient support charity, to provide vital additional support for vulnerable customers living with chronic kidney disease (CKD) in Essex.
Across West Essex and North East Essex, more than 33,000 people are living with CKD, 14,761 in West Essex and 18,497 in North East Essex. These are some of the most deprived communities in Affinity Water’s supply area, where awareness and access to support are especially important.
Through this partnership, people across Essex with CKD will benefit from a range of free services, including access to renal drop-in clinics, specialist advice, and tailored support via the Priority Services Register (PSR). The PSR is a free service offering extra help for customers with health, financial or personal challenges.
Kidney Care UK will also deliver bespoke training to Affinity Water support teams, helping them better understand the specific needs of kidney patients and respond with compassion and practical help.
Laurie Cuthbert, Director of Fundraising, Marketing & Communications at Kidney Care UK, said:
“We’re delighted to add Affinity Water to the network of organisations we’re working with to increase awareness of kidney disease across the utility sector. Many people with chronic kidney disease have higher water needs, which is why we’re working with 11 water companies across the UK to help them to understand the impact kidney disease can have on their customers.
This is an exciting partnership to transform the support our kidney community will receive in the South East of England. We are pleased to be working in partnership to be able to ensure that more than 165,000 people with kidney disease in the South East are able to access all the support they need to live their lives to the full.”
Affinity Water serves over 3.9 million people across the South East, including tens of thousands in Essex towns such as Harlow, Brentwood, Clacton-on-Sea and Colchester. The company is committed to strengthening its support for vulnerable customers and making sure that services are accessible and inclusive for everyone.
James Tipler, Head of Customer Billing Support at Affinity Water, said:
“We’re proud to be working with Kidney Care UK to help ensure our customers living with chronic kidney disease are better supported. Access to clean, safe water is essential for everyone, but especially for those managing long-term health conditions. By partnering with Kidney Care UK, we’re not only raising awareness of the Priority Services Register but also improving how we identify and support our most vulnerable customers, ensuring they get the right help, at the right time.”
The partnership builds on national outreach efforts, including recent visits to renal units by Kidney Care UK and other utility partners. These visits not only identified potential savings on household bills but also connected dozens of patients with essential services, something now being extended to communities in Essex.
