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The longstanding national charity for the electrical, electronics and energy industries, the Electrical and Electronics Industries Benevolent Association (EEIBA) has rebranded. James Hunt reports on this first part of a wider strategic plan to build the organisation’s position at the heart of the electrical industries supporting their own:
‘Welcome to the Electrical Industries Charity’, says the benevolent organisation that used to call itself the EEIBA, which has also launched a new visual identity.
The charity has a long association with our industries dating back to 1905 when The Electrical Trades Benevolent Institution was set up by ten leaders of the emerging electrical industry. They felt they had a duty to help those in the industry in the event that ‘accident, infirmity, misfortune or old age, limited their activities or curtailed their means’. The organisation had been known the EEIBA since 1967, the year the Beatles released their acclaimed Sgt Pepper’s album.
Since then, the charity has worked very hard to achieve its aims of helping those most in need, through old age, illness and falling on hard times in the UK electrical and electronics industries. Yet despite very considerable success in achieving this stated aim over decades, research carried out in 2012 showed that the EEIBA brand did little to convey the charity’s purpose.
The world has changed greatly since 1967, as have the industries, so there was a clear need for the EEIBA to change too in ways that better connect with people in the industry.
Said Jill Nadolski, Operations Manager: “The Electrical Industries Charity is the national charity for the electrical and energy industries. In supporting our people through life's challenges, our mission is to look after all people from the electrical and energy industries whenever they or their families need help with life's challenges, whether big or small, at every stage of their lives.
She continued: “In 2014, the new name speaks of a more connected and energised organisation at the heart of its industries, delivering practical support and bringing the industries together to help their own. The Electrical Industries Charity offers a range of services to support people in our industries.”
Jill concluded by saying: “One thing remains unchanged, which is our on-going mission to look after all people from the electrical and energy industries whenever they or their families need help with life’s challenges, whether big or small, and at every stage of their lives.”
Support and events
The support provided by the Electrical Industries Charity includes a confidential helpline (0800 652 1618), debt advice, respite breaks for carers, financial assistance, plus careers advice and outplacement. In addition, there are a number of special events that raise funds whilst providing a highly enjoyable time for attendees.
The prime example is the London-based ‘powerBall’ (and yes, that is supposed to be a lower case ‘p’). At this major event, a superb three-course dinner with a varied selection of wines is provided, along with top-notch entertainment and silent and live auctions, which raised £20,000 and £12,000 respectively; both record amounts for the charity.
In addition, there are other major events, such as the London Valentines Ball, the Scotland Valentines Ball, the Southern Spring Ball, the Gloucester Golf Day, and the Aberdeen Golf Day. Then there is the Gloucester Annual Ball, which - in 2013 - raised £10,000.
Go to www.eeiba.org to learn more. Those going to the charity’s re-vamped website will see Voltimum UK references on the home page (the Electrical Industries Charity is a Voltimum UK Partner organisation), with our latest tweets about industry news, but the main reason for landing on this webpage is to learn more and, we hope, be able to contribute in some way to this very worthwhile charity.