More than 400 Gentoo customers are now benefiting from energy efficiency improvements which are helping to make their homes warmer, healthier and cheaper to run.
£1m of the projects funding was sourced by 0800 Repair through successful grant applications to schemes including the Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) and the Energy Company Obligation (ECO). Gentoo also contributed an additional £400k investment to support a number of properties, helping to maximise the reach and impact of the programme.
Funding secured through GBIS focussed on cavity wall insulation improvements to help homes retain heat more effectively, reduce energy loss and address issues linked to condensation and damp.
Funding from ECO was primarily focused on improving heating control and efficiency and saw the installation of:
– Smart controls
– Time and temperature zone control thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs)
– Ventilation upgrades where required
– Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels
Together, these measures help give customers greater control over their heating while helping to reduce their overall energy demand.
Peter Akers, Director of Asset and Sustainability at Gentoo said: “This programme represents a significant investment in our homes and our customers.
“By securing external funding and supplementing it with our own investment, we’ve been able to deliver meaningful improvements that make homes warmer, healthier and cheaper to run.
“This work will help tackle fuel poverty while supporting our long‑term sustainability ambitions and reducing environmental impact.”
0800 Repair specialises in insulation, heating and renewable energy solutions for homes across the UK and work with social housing providers across the country. Michael Pallister, Operations Director at 0800 Repair, said: “We are delighted to partner with Gentoo and bring £1 million worth of external funding to enable them to deliver these vital energy-efficiency measures to 400 homes.
“The delivery of this contract was achieved through brilliant collaboration and we are pleased to have been able to secure ECO and GBIS funding for them. We are looking forward to continuing this great partnership and for the benefit of people living in Sunderland.”
Heating and renewables giant PHS has made four key appointments to its Customer Experience Team to support its growth aspirations following a number of new contract wins.
Investment in the team by the Sunderland-based company, demonstrates its commitment to engaging with customers where they will be working and supporting the communities they live in.
When major works are being delivered in people’s homes on behalf of housing association clients, the first people that customers meet are PHS’s Customer Experience Team. The team supports customers before, during and after the works have been undertaken and they are allocated a dedicated Customer Experience Advisor who will be their main point of contact throughout the duration of the works.
Michelle Johnson has been promoted to Customer Experience Manager and will lead a team of four Customer Experience Advisors. She joined the organisation last May from a construction company where she held a similar role for 6.5 years. Michelle manages contracts on behalf of PHS and 0800 Repair, part of PHS Home Solutions, and has worked closely with Gentoo’s customers on the delivery of new kitchens, bathrooms and full electrical rewires in people’s homes.
In addition to managing the team, Michelle attends operational meetings with clients, provides day-to-day support to site while PHS or 0800 are working on their schemes and handles customer compliments, complaints and comments. She also organises consultation events and meets and greets customers where they will be working.
Julie Hewitson joins the organisation as a Customer Experience Advisor having worked in a similar role as a resident liaison officer for seven years. She will work with Gentoo customers as part of the Gentogether partnership.
Julie Blenkinsop has been appointed as a Customer Experience Advisor and joins PHS from Gentoo where she was a tenancy support co-ordinator, a position she held for 3.5 years. Julie will support the delivery of the contract with Northumberland County Council.
Beverley Little, also appointed as a Customer Experience Advisor joins PHS and will support 0800.
In addition to these new appointments, Soobia Akhtar has been promoted to a Customer Experience Advisor position. Soobia has been working with 0800 for two years and has been instrumental in driving forward success across 0800’s boiler and cavity wall insulation offer and more recently, internal projects. She is also taking forward a leadership qualification and will be managing the newly appointed trainees.
Lisa Coverdale, Head of Customer Experience at PHS, said: “Customers are at the heart of everything we do here at PHS and 0800 and this is the first time we’ve built a dedicated team, so it was incredibly important to bring in the right people with the right skills, experience and knowledge to be able to deliver the service our customers and clients expect.
“That, together with internal promotions for Michelle and Soobia demonstrates that we are investing in our team to support our growth aspirations and to support the delivery of new contract award wins.
“Due to the nature of the works we deliver, it can cause distress and upheaval so our team are there to help and support them to prepare for the works that will be undertaken, ensure they have all of the information to keep them safe and answer any questions they may have. I’m looking forward to working with the team. This is a really exciting time for PHS and 0800.”
Heating and renewable specialists 0800 Repair, part of PHS Home Solutions, has announced three new contract awards to strengthen its position in the North East and support its growth aspirations.
Northumberland County Council has awarded the company the main contractor role to carry out energy‑efficient retrofit works to approximately 300 council‑owned properties, predominantly in Blyth, Alnwick and Amble. The £4.8 million contract is for an initial two years, with an option to extend for a further two years, and was procured through Procure Plus.
The scope of works includes the installation of air source heat pumps, solar PV, energy‑efficient windows and doors, smart heating controls, ventilation upgrades, external and internal wall insulation, and cavity wall, loft, flat roof and underfloor insulation.
Northumberland County Council was awarded funding under the Government’s Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund and Warm Homes: Local Grant schemes. The council’s warmer homes team is delivering energy‑efficient measures to achieve EPC C by 2030, helping to reduce fuel poverty, lower household energy bills and decarbonise domestic energy use.
National social housing provider Home Group has awarded 0800 Repair a two‑year contract to carry out gas, solid fuel and low/zero‑carbon technology works within void and occupied properties across the North East. The 0800 Repair team will support Home Group’s DLO team with boiler and full heating installation works, routine repairs, annual servicing and associated remedial works, renewal of mains‑powered and battery‑operated fire and CO₂ detectors, and out‑of‑hours coverage.
The contract is for an initial 12 months with the option to extend for a further two years and includes a number of social value commitments to be delivered throughout its duration.
Meanwhile, the company has also been awarded a 12‑month reactive and planned boiler installation contract by Gateshead Council.
The 12‑month contract, with an option to extend for a further two years, was awarded through the North East Procurement Framework (NEPO) and will include reactive and planned boiler installation works across the council’s housing stock. 0800 Repair has been delivering heating installation services to Gateshead Council for the last nine years.
0800 Repair has made a commitment to delivering social value throughout the duration of the contract. This includes Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) training for staff, employment of local people, and supporting young people into work by delivering training on developing CVs, interview techniques and carrying out mock interviews to prepare them for the workplace.
Michael Pallister, Operations Director at 0800 Repair, said: “We are delighted to have been successfully awarded these three major contracts, which strengthen our position in the marketplace across the North East. The scope of works varies between each contract, and our experienced in‑house team is looking forward to working with our social housing and local authority partners to deliver these energy‑efficient improvements to people’s homes.
“In addition to delivering the improvements these works will achieve, we are committed to delivering social value measures in the communities where we work.”
An apprentice gas engineer has secured a permanent role within the business after impressing company bosses.
Dale Green, 42, successfully completed his 15-month apprenticeship at North East heating and renewable specialists 0800 Repair and has been rewarded with a full-time permanent role.
Dale joined the company in 2024 and is now fully qualified and working as a service and repair engineer, working in people’s homes on behalf of the firms social housing clients.
A welder fabricator by trade, he worked for the same company for over 20 years in various roles but decided on a completely different career and thought an apprenticeship would be a good route to gaining experience and potentially securing a permanent role, and the hard work has paid off.
During his apprenticeship, he attended Ignite Training in North Shields one day per week and eventually secured his End Point Assessment (EPA), which enables him to attend appointments on his own, whereas previously, he attended with a mentor.
The EPA is the final independent test for apprentices in England, where he was evaluated to see if he achieved occupational competence in the field.
Dale said: “I feel like this job is exactly what I should be doing and proves that apprenticeships provide a route to securing a full-time role. I previously worked for the same company for a long time and needed a change – a fresh challenge. I felt I was stuck in a bit of a rut but, after discussing my options with friends, I saw a vacancy with 0800 Repair and haven’t looked back.
“They have been brilliant in supporting me with my apprenticeship and I am also very grateful to Ignite Training too. Age is just a number and shouldn’t be a barrier to learning a new career or gaining additional qualifications. I enjoy the challenges of the job and working and meeting new customers each day and feel I want to give something back to the company for supporting me on my journey.”
Michael Pallister, Operations Director at 0800 Repair said: “We are delighted for Dale and he has shown commitment and dedication to succeed from the very first day and throughout his apprenticeship. He is always learning and has shown willingness to progress and be successful, so he fully deserves this opportunity and I wish him all the best. He is a great asset to the business.
Emma Garrick, Director at Ignite Training, said: “Dale joined us as an apprentice on the Level 3 Gas Engineering Apprenticeship from 0800. From the very start, he was engaged, motivated, and eager to learn as much as possible about the industry.
“As an apprentice, Dale has been diligent and conscientious, consistently pushing himself to develop his skills and knowledge to the highest standard. This has been clearly reflected in his weekly performance in class. What has been particularly impressive is his ability to encourage and motivate others within the group, contributing positively to the overall learning environment.
“Dale has achieved to a very high level and demonstrates all the characteristics and attributes needed to succeed at the top of the gas industry. He is a credit to 0800 and an excellent example of how it is possible to retrain at any stage and fully commit to the opportunity.”
Heating and renewable specialists 0800 Repair were amongst the winners at this year’s Regional Energy Efficiency Awards (North West) 2026 held in Bolton.
0800 Repair is one of three installers as part of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority ECO4 Flex project that were recognised in the Regional Large Scale Project (>250K) of the Year. Other partners include Improveasy and Next Energy Solutions Limited.
The awards recognise best practice within the energy saving and efficiency sector and organisations compete in 13 categories.
The Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) created a framework in 2023 so that vulnerable households could access energy company funded insulation and upgraded heating with their homes. The ten local authorities within the Combined Authority helped to identify fuel poor and vulnerable households who may benefit from heating and energy saving measures.
The GMCA appointed three installers onto the framework to provide installation in ten council areas. 0800/PHS was selected to work in Bury, Oldham, Rochdale and Tameside.
Services required by GMCA asked installers to develop, deliver and manage a holistic LA Flex service for households and installations included: insulation works, low carbon heating systems, renewable energy installations, heating system upgrades and repairs, draught proofing.
In the ‘Large Scale Project of the Year’ category, where energy efficiency measures of more than £250,000 have been installed, companies and projects had to demonstrate delivery of a successful large scale energy saving project, while maintaining excellent customer service that demonstrates a high standard of quality workmanship throughout the project.
Between April 2023 and April 2025, 0800 Repair installed at 998 properties and contributed £40,000 in social value to each of the four GMCA areas. Between April 2025 to date, 0800 Repair has completed 357 installations on the ECO4 and GBIS scheme, which works out on average, installation of 2.5 measures per property and an average annual bill saving of £517 per property.
Erik Coates, Energy Services Director at 0800 Repair, said: “We are delighted to be recognised in these awards for our work with the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and the delivery of the ECO4 Flex project.
“We have a long-established relationship with the GMCA and are incredibly proud to deliver energy saving measures to customers’ homes in Bury, Oldham, Rochdale and Tameside while maintaining high levels of customer satisfaction. This is wonderful news and congratulations to all involved.”
Tina Gandhi, Principal Environmental Strategy Officer within the GM Environment Team at the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, said: “We’re delighted to win the Regional Large-Scale Project of the Year at the Regional Energy Efficiency Awards for our ECO4 Flex Scheme. We were up against some excellent contenders, which makes this win all the more meaningful.
“We are incredibly proud of the project, but even more proud of the partnership behind it. All three companies, 0800 Repair, Next Energy and Improveasy, have been an absolute joy to work with. Their professionalism, the teams’ hard work, and the genuinely collaborative way we’ve delivered this scheme together has made all the difference. Thank you, truly. Thank you so much for all your hard work.”
North East housing provider, North Star Homes Group has awarded a new 5-year heating servicing and maintenance contract to heating and renewable specialists 0800 Repair.
The £2.5 million contract will see 0800 Repair deliver heating services to North Star’s 3,500 homes across the Tees Valley, North Yorkshire, County Durham, and Tyne and Wear areas. 0800 Repair will deliver a fully compliant, 24/7 heating service including annual statutory servicing, landlord gas safety record, safety checks and responsive repairs.
The contract was awarded via a competitive tender using ProcurePlus’ Installation and Repair Framework – North East, Yorkshire and Humberside 2024 Lot 5 – Heating. The framework includes regionalised Lots for the North East and for Yorkshire and Humberside and includes all heating and maintenance works.
The firm which specialises in insulation, heating and renewable energy solutions for homes across the UK has been delivering heating repairs services to North Star’s customers for the last four years, with a great first time fix rate on repairs and over 90% customer satisfaction score across both workstreams.
Michael Pallister, Operations Director at 0800 Repair, said: “We are delighted to have been awarded a place on North Star’s framework with a contract for the next five years. We are very passionate about supporting and working in collaboration with our landlord partners across the North East and we look forward to working with North Star’s customers who have reported high levels of satisfaction with our service.”
Adam Pearce, Head of Property and Compliance at North Star Housing Group, said: “We are pleased to award this contract to 0800 Repair following a competitive procurement process. They have already demonstrated strong performance delivering heating repairs for our customers, with high satisfaction levels and a strong first-time fix rate. This new contract will ensure our homes remain safe, warm and fully compliant, while continuing to provide a responsive and reliable service for our customers.”
A leading North East energy firm is celebrating its commitment to recruiting apprentices and the impact they make on the business by giving them valuable on-site work experience whilst completing their qualifications.
National firm PHS Home Solutions, which is headquartered in Houghton-le-Spring and includes 0800 Repair, Oakes Energy Services and PHS Solutions, currently supports 23 apprentices across the entire business.
The firm which specialises in insulation, heating and renewable energy solutions for homes and business across the UK is leading the way to supporting apprentices and providing them with the experience and qualifications they need to succeed in their careers.
Heating and gas engineers, building services engineers, electricians, joiners and customer services apprentices are just some of the full-time roles that have been filled within the business.
Faith Pallister, 18, has been working at 0800 Repair for a year and half and joined as a Customer Service Apprentice. After leaving school she always wanted to work with animals and pursue a career in veterinary nursing but didn’t have the qualifications needed so she applied for an apprenticeship role to give her valuable experience of working in Customer Services and to pass her Level 2 Maths and English qualifications.
Working with Zenith Training, her tutor comes on site to work with Faith on a one-to-one basis and is on track to complete her apprenticeship later this year. She said: “I have learnt so much in this role and 0800 Repair has been brilliant and supported me through my apprenticeship. You need good customer service in any job and the role has given me the confidence to listen and talk to customers. Apprenticeships are a great way to get first-hand work experience while gaining additional qualifications – I’d recommend it to anyone thinking of wanting to push themselves further.”
Apprenticeships are not just for school leavers and young people. Dale Green, 42, is working as an apprentice gas engineer at 0800 Repair and over the last year and a half, hasn’t looked back. He is a welder fabricator by trade, but after working for the same company for over 20 years in various roles, he decided on a completely different career change and realised an apprenticeship would give him that platform.
He has almost completed his 15-month apprenticeship and the company has supported him to attend training with Ignite Training in North Shields one day per week. He is just waiting for his End Point Assessment (EPA), which is the final, independent test for apprentices in England, evaluating if they have achieved occupational competence in their field.
Commenting on his role, Dale said: “Age shouldn’t be a barrier to learning a new career or gaining additional qualifications. This apprenticeship has given me the opportunity to do something I’ve always wanted to do and I am very grateful to 0800 Repair for supporting me. Hopefully, I can continue to apply my trade here with the company and give something back to them for supporting me. I enjoy the challenges of the job and working and meeting new customers each day.”
Another apprentice making a difference is Chris Sime, 19, who works as a Design Engineer with Oakes Energy Services. After completing work experience in the sector, he left school and applied for a Level 3 Building Services Engineering Technician Course and is studying at Newcastle College University Centre for a Level 5 Foundation Degree in Electrical Engineering.
His role is to design and price Solar PV systems on commercial buildings and believes the apprenticeship has developed him quicker than going to college or sixth form. He commented: “Being able to be taught from leading engineers in the industry, also helps me grow more as person, as I am pushed into more scenarios like client meetings that make me gain confidence.”
Last year, Chris impressed industry bosses so much he picked up the 2025 North East Apprentice of the Year award at the Energy Efficiency Awards and is keen to develop further. He said: “I feel I have been able to make a positive impact within the office and I am now also a mentor to our two newer apprentices. I would 100% recommend an apprenticeship route to others, due to the real work experience that you gain within your dream industry being very hard to come by in the earlier stages of your life.”
Michael Pallister, Operations Director at 0800 Repair said: “As an organisation that is committed to creating and supporting apprenticeships, we are pleased to be able to support so many apprentices across the business. Reading Faith, Dale and Chris’ experiences, regardless of age, if you are focussed and want to succeed, you can be successful and 0800 Repair and Oakes will support you on that journey.”
The company is highlighting its commitment to supporting apprentices as part of National Apprenticeship Week – a week-long celebration (9-15 February) that brings together businesses and apprentices across the country to shine a light on the positive impact that apprenticeships make to individuals, businesses and the wider economy.
Delivering social value through our partnership with Gentoo, we responded to their call to support a local children’s charity by helping to upgrade their facilities.
Together with nine other partners, vital building works have been carried out at Love, Amelia based in Sunderland, who support babies, children, and families across the North East.
We installed two new water heaters (including an 80l unit to meet higher demand), a new wash station and an outside tap.
Our electrical team also fitted new trunking and sockets throughout their newly created office spaces, plus relocated the washing machine for easier access.
The expansion has allowed Love, Amelia to improve and increase much needed storage facilities, create meeting rooms and confidential spaces for families being supported by the charity. They will be able to store and distribute more essential items, including clothing, baby equipment, and toys, to families experiencing hardship.
0800 Repair colleagues volunteered their own time over a weekend to complete the building work, helping to transform the charity’s space and increase its capacity to support families in need. The initiative was made possible through generous contributions from Gentoo’s supplier network, who provided materials, expertise, and hands-on support.
Jonathan Parker, Site Manager at 0800 Repair, said: “We are delighted to support Gentoo and this wonderful charity which provides vital support to families in need. It’s always rewarding to see how these small but meaningful upgrades help local charities like Love, Amelia continue their amazing work in the community.”
Steph Capewell, Founder and Chief Executive at Love, Amelia said: “We are incredibly grateful to Gentoo, Jewson Partnership Solutions, and all of the partners who made this expansion possible.
“This project is an excellent example of the social value that can be created when organisations come together with a shared purpose. The generosity of those who not only provided materials but also gave their own time outside of working hours has been remarkable. Their commitment has transformed our space at a critical time, giving us the storage and private space for families and partners we urgently needed.
“With demand for our services continuing to rise, this expansion strengthens our ability to support children and families across the North East and would not have been possible without these partnerships.”
For more information about Love, Amelia and the support they provide, please click here.
Earlier this year, we were proud to join forces with Gentoo, Esh Construction, and RE:GEN Group to launch the Gentogether partnership, a landmark 10-year modernisation programme worth £170 million that will transform thousands of homes across Sunderland.
As part of this major investment, PHS Solutions will deliver internal upgrades to over 190 homes across Sunderland, including Washington, starting this August. More than 750 homes across the city will benefit from improvements this year alone, including the installation of modern kitchens, bathrooms, and full electrical rewires.
Our fellow partners have already begun their programmes, with Esh Construction working on over 300 homes in South Sunderland and RE:GEN Group upgrading more than 300 homes across Houghton and Hetton.
To ensure residents are fully involved in the process, Gentoo and all Gentogether partners have been hosting customer engagement events. These sessions give residents the chance to meet the team, ask questions, and choose their preferred finishes for kitchens, bathrooms, flooring, and wall boards ensuring every home reflects the customer’s personal style.
Mark Kearney, Solutions Director at PHS Solutions, said: “We are proud to be working in close partnership with Gentoo to deliver internal modernisations across the city. This collaboration, and the 10-year intent of the partnership, will not only regenerate homes but also create wider employment and social opportunities – leaving a lasting legacy within the community.”
This is a significant milestone for Sunderland, and we are excited to play a leading role in improving living standards and creating thriving, sustainable communities for the future.
St Cuthbert’s Hospice in Durham has received a £5,000 donation from the PHS Foundation, enabling the charity to purchase a vital new piece of medical equipment that will enhance patient care and reduce the need for hospital visits.
The PHS Foundation has been established by the parent company of PHS, Oakes Energy and 0800 Repair, set up to support and strengthen local communities.
This donation has enabled the hospice to buy a specialist pressure pump, which allows the clinical team to perform blood transfusions and administer medications that cannot be delivered through a standard drip, all within the comforting and familiar surroundings of the hospice.
Located on Park House Road in Durham, St Cuthbert’s Hospice has been providing free care and support to people with life-limiting illnesses, as well as specialist children’s bereavement support, since 1988. As a registered independent charity, it relies heavily on donations to maintain its inpatient, outpatient and community outreach services.
Kay Carrick, Development Team Manager at St Cuthbert’s Hospice, said: “The equipment we had been using was outdated and no longer met the latest guidance, without the Foundation’s support, we may have been forced to pause this vital service.”
“Being able to deliver these treatments here saves patients and carers from the strain of hospital trips and provides more dignified, personal care.”
Jason Oakes, Director at PHS, said: “We’re proud to support St Cuthbert’s Hospice and the incredible team that delivers such compassionate care across County Durham. This donation reflects our commitment to making a practical and lasting difference in the communities we serve. We’re honoured to help the hospice continue delivering vital services at a time when they’re needed more than ever.”