Multibank's £2.4m boost from Centrica’s chief who grew up in Fife

Chris O’Shea was at the Lochgelly base of the Multibank, which was created by former Prime Minister Gordon Brown, to announce the new funding from energy company, Centrica.

It will provide cash of £800,000 per year to strengthen The Multibank’s core operations, expand its reach through new satellite hubs, and increase the supply of essential goods such as warm bedding, clothing, baby items, hygiene products and furniture.

And Mr O’Shea, who grew up in Pitteuchar in Glenrothes, said that, through the British Gas Energy Trust, it will also connect people with direct, targeted energy support to help people stay warm, safe and secure this winter and beyond.

It is the single biggest partnership since the Multibank launched in Fife to distribute surplus goods from Amazon to families in need.

Launched in 2022, the Big Hoose in Kirkcaldy has now led to six hubs across the UK, and works with more than 100 businesses. It has distributed over 14 million essential items - mostly from retail return cycle stock - to more than two million families through a network of more than 3000 local charities.

And with more than one in five people in the UK now living in poverty, and families increasingly forced into impossible decisions about basic necessities, it is playing an increasingly important role getting help to families in most need.

Mr O’Shea and Mr Brown - who is president of the Multibank - were joined to the announcement by Provost Jim Leishman, Actor Arabella Weir, who is also a trustee, and representatives from a wide range of organisations which work with, and support, the Multibank.

Mr O’Shea spoke of his early days in Fife where he saw first hand the impact of the miners; strike of 1984-85 on families - and how people in a position to help should do so.

He said: ”I grew up in Pitteuchar and loved it - tremendous place. Towards the end of my time there, the strike meant minutes went from being well paid to no income whatsover. I remember the social unrest and the hardship. People who had lots suddenly had very little.

“We moved to Glasgow and I saw the stigma of poverty. From a very early age sometimes your role in life is set. That doesn’t sit right with me - if you are lucky enough to do well, and can give back and help others then we have a responsibility to help people.”

He said he disliked the term ‘fuel poverty’ - “ you are either in poverty or you are not.” “People go through crises in their lives. Some have savings and some do not, and if you do not then you can fall into arrears. We have to figure out how to help people . “When people fall behind on their energy bills, they are almost always struggling with everything else too. Poverty doesn’t happen in silos — a broken cooker, a lack of warm bedding or mounting energy debt can tip families into crisis.

Working with The Multibank allows us to support families earlier with both essentials and targeted energy help - from emergency fuel vouchers to white goods grants - so they can stay warm, safe and secure this winter and beyond.”

Centrica’s support means the Multibanks will be able to do even more - and make a real difference to the lives of many families.

Mr Brown said: “Britain needs a Coalition of Compassion - government, businesses and communities working together to prevent families falling into hardship. No family should be forced to choose between heating and eating. By linking The Multibank’s local networks with Centrica and the British Gas Energy Trust, this partnership means more families can get the essential goods and support they need alongside immediate help with heating and energy costs.’’

Mr O’Shea met with volunteers and frontline partners during his visit to the Multibank Hub in Lochgelly to hear about the urgent need for joined‑up action.

His company’s support came, said Mr Brown, with no conditions - “they just want to be sure we deal with the conditions of poverty.”

He continued: “The issue today is there is so much poverty. People are suffering. That may be because of illnesses such as cancer, or family breakdowns, loss of a job or a death in their family - when a crisis happens many do not have the savings to cope.

“We are trying to help those with the greatest need. That brings in charities, social work, health visitors, teachers, the council - a community should help where it can.”

Tracey Talbot, interim chief executive at British Gas Energy Trust said the Centrica deal means it “can offer more rounded, practical support for people; combining energy debt relief and emergency support with access to the everyday essentials many of us take for granted.” She added: “Together we can reach more people, provide support where it's needed, and make sure no one is left struggling to survive. Working together, we can make a real difference.”

The announcement was also welcomed by Martin McLuskey MP, Minister for Energy Consumers.

He said: “Tackling the affordability crisis is this Government's number one priority. That is why we are extending the £150 Warm Home Discount so millions of eligible families will receive it in winter for the rest of the decade, and taking an average of £150 of costs off energy bills from April. This crucial initiative builds on that work - providing vital support to those who need it most, this winter and beyond."