DEPHER Community Plumbing and Heating Support CIC, formerly known as Depher, (Disabled and Elderly Plumbing and Heating Emergency Repair) is a Community Interest Company based in Burnley, Lancashire, England, that gives free plumbing and heating services to vulnerable people.[2] It relies on crowdfunding, donations, and income from private jobs to fund its work.[3][4]
Disabled and Elderly Plumbing and Heating Emergency Repair Community Plumbing & Heating CIC (since 20 February 2024) | |
| Abbreviation | DEPHER CPH CIC |
|---|---|
| Predecessor | Northern Plumbing and Heating Ltd (4 March 2017–6 August 2019) |
| Formation | March 2017 |
| Founder | James Ward Anderson |
| Type | Community interest company |
| Registration no. | Company 11335052 |
| Headquarters | 24 Keirby Walk |
| Location |
|
| Coordinates | 53°47′23″N 2°14′23″W / 53.7897°N 2.2396°W |
| Products | Plumbing services |
Director | James Ward Anderson |
Revenue (2022/2023) | £1,257,361 |
| Expenses (2022/2023) | £709,855 |
Staff (2022/2023) | 13 |
| Website | www |
Formerly called |
|
| Source: Companies House[1] | |
History
editDEPHER was founded in March 2017 by James Ward Anderson.[5] Anderson was inspired to help people after he visited an elderly man whose boiler had been tampered with in an attempt to make him pay for a replacement.[6]
During the COVID-19 pandemic, DEPHER gave vulnerable people free food, gas, and electricity.[7] This stopped in 2023 due to DEPHER being unable to support an increase in demand.[8]
In June 2023, Anderson received a British Citizen Award at the Palace of Westminster for services to volunteering and charitable giving.[9] The award was later rescinded.[10]
In November 2023 DEPHER began taking donations of furniture, clothing, and shoes for its fundraising shop in Burnley.[11]
DEPHER rebranded to “Community Plumbing and Heating Support” in January 2024. Then rebranding in February 2024 to DEPHER Community Plumbing and Heating Support CIC.[1]
Donations
editIn August 2023, Samantha Giles donated two photos from the set of Emmerdale to raise funds for Depher.[12]
In October 2023, Depher returned a donation from Tristan Tate following a social media backlash due to ongoing criminal investigations.[13]
Hugh Grant and Anna Eberstein have donated a total of £75k to Depher.[14][15]
In April 2024, DEPHER suspended all fundraising via platforms such as GoFundMe and Crowdfunder.[citation needed]
BBC investigation and accusations of impropriety
editOn 16 May 2024, the BBC published an article detailing an investigation into DEPHER and Anderson. This investigation reported instances of manipulation in social media posts, lack of consent from those being featured, and safety concerns regarding DEPHER’s operations from former employees.[16][17] A 31-minute report, titled Scams & Scandals: Britain’s Hero Plumber Exposed, was subsequently uploaded to BBC iPlayer.
Use of social media
editAnderson has attracted considerable attention and controversy via his use of both personal and DEPHER social media accounts, including posting photos of customers without permission, and cases where photos and stories shared have been subsequently found to have been faked or altered.[16]
In December 2023, an investigation by The Independent revealed that Anderson shared a picture of a golliwog in 2016 to his social media account and that he believes in the "All Lives Matter" sentiment.[18]
2022 house purchase
editIn February 2024, Anderson revealed he purchased a house to rent out to his brother-in-law and father-in-law at a cost of £73,125. However, Anderson maintains that the house was purchased via “profits from paid work”.[16]
Investigations by regulatory bodies
editIn March 2024, Anderson uploaded a video to a new DEPHER CPH CIC Fundraising Facebook page detailing work ongoing with the CIC Regulator and the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) regarding safeguarding processes.
In May 2024, an article published by Lancashire Live confirmed ongoing investigations into DEPHER by the Fundraising Regulator, the CIC Regulator and the ICO as a result of accusations of wrongdoing.[19][20] These accusations include “fixing” of a tombola in the Fundraising Shop, GDPR and personal data breaches of DEPHER clients, as well as concerns surrounding DEPHER’s finances.
References
edit- ^ a b "DEPHER Community Plumbing & Heating CIC". Companies House. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
- ^ Holmes, Becky; Hobson, Judy (4 October 2022). "Cost of living: Burnley free plumbing charity sees 'massive' rise in calls". BBC News. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
- ^ Jack Beresford (17 September 2019). "Plumber goes viral after refusing to take payment for work from 91-year-old pensioner". The Irish Post. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
- ^ Kelsie Smith (17 January 2023). "UK plumber has helped over 2,000 vulnerable families fix heating and plumbing during the pandemic for free". CNN. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
- ^ "No charge for 91-year-old's boiler 'under any circumstances'". BBC News. 17 September 2019. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
- ^ Bayley, Rachel (14 January 2022). "Depher founder: "I was born in Liverpool, but Burnley has made me."". Burnley.co.uk. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
- ^ Antony Thrower; Fatima Aziz (29 January 2023). "'Britain's kindest plumber' inspired to save town after vile boiler scam on elderly man". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
- ^ "Plumber providing free service puts help on hold due to soaring demand in cost of living crisis". ITV News. 15 February 2023. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
- ^ Dominic Collis (27 June 2023). "Lily Allen makes kind donation to Depher CIC as James Anderson prepares to collect Westminster British Citizen Award". Burnley Express. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
- ^ Wearn, Rebecca; Thomas, Ed (17 May 2024). "'Hero plumber' James Anderson has citizen award rescinded". BBC News. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
- ^ Laura Longworth (6 October 2023). "Depher CIC: Founder James Anderson to close food drive and open second-hand furniture store". Burnley Express. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
- ^ "Emmerdale star donates gifts from set to Depher charity". Lancashire Telegraph. 18 August 2023. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
- ^ "Burnley charity Depher returns donation from Tristan Tate". ITV News. 2 October 2023. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
- ^ "Hugh Grant donates £20k to free Burnley plumbing service". BBC News. 8 December 2023. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
- ^ Ford, Lily (16 May 2024). "Hugh Grant Was a Major Donor for a U.K. Charity Now at Center of BBC Exposé for Scamming Patrons". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
- ^ a b c Thomas, Ed; Wearn, Rebecca; Lee, Joseph (16 May 2024). "James Anderson of Depher: 'Hero' plumber's firm faked stories". BBC News. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
- ^ Goodlad, Nat (16 May 2024). "Plumber who 'helped people in need' admits making up some stories". The Bolton News. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
- ^ Ellie Muir (12 December 2023). "Charitable plumber handed £75,000 by Hugh Grant at centre of race row over golly doll post". The Independent.
- ^ Preston, Rob (16 May 2024). "Regulator investigates social enterprise's fundraising practices after complaints". Civil Society Media. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
- ^ Hughes, Ian (16 May 2024). "ICO statement as 'Britain's kindest plumber' slammed in bombshell documentary". Lancs Live. Retrieved 16 May 2024.