Member Article

Vivark clinches Knowsley contract

Facilities management company and social enterprise, Vivark, has secured Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council’s (KMBC’s) gas and winter boiler contract.

Vivark, part of the First Ark Group, will be undertaking boiler and heating repairs to Knowsley home owners and tenants of private landlords who have been identified as vulnerable under KMBC’s Warm Homes Healthy People programme.

The programme, which aims to tackle the issues associated with severe winter weather by providing a free boiler and heating repairs service, has found poor health and unnecessary winter deaths are almost three times higher within residents living in the coldest 25% of housing.

This is the second consecutive year that the First Ark Group, which includes Vivark, has been awarded the £100,000 contract, allowing the company to build upon its commitment as a social enterprise and add real value to the local communities within which it operates.

During its work in the 2012/2013 season, the Vivark team completed almost 150 heating projects in Knowsley, improving living conditions for many local residents and their families.

Tony Cahill, Executive Director of Business and Service Development at Vivark, said: “Vivark is extremely proud to be able to build upon the fantastic work that was achieved last year. Adding value to the community is vital to Vivark and this project in particular helps improve the lives of some of the most vulnerable people living in the region.

“Securing this contract for another year demonstrates KMBC’s confidence in Vivark to professionally respond to customers’ needs and proves the team has the technical expertise to carry out the work to the highest possible standard.”

Vivark’s output as part of last year’s gas and boiler contract included 22 full boiler replacements and 15 full system installations. 76% of those who benefited from the scheme were aged over 70.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Simon Malia .