Rachael McDermott on Raising Awareness and Driving Change in the North West
Rachael was first introduced to the EIC when she was invited by Rexel to attend the powerBall. Reflecting on that first encounter, she says it opened her eyes to a charity she hadn’t previously come across.
“Before that, I’d never really heard about the EIC. What got me interested in joining the North West Committee was because no one in the North West knew about the charity,” she says.
That was three years ago, and since then, Rachael says awareness across the North West has grown significantly. What was once relatively unknown in the region is now gaining real traction, thanks in part to the efforts of the local committee.
Inspired to Get Involved
Rachael says it was the powerful storytelling at the event that first inspired her to take a more active role.
“I saw the powerBall videos that they play on the night, showing how the EIC is helping the industry. I just thought it was inspiring. So when the opportunity to be on the North West Committee arose, I jumped at the chance,” she explains.
From that point on, she says she felt motivated to do more and play a part in raising awareness across her region.
Spreading the Word in the North West
Rachael says she quickly got to work promoting the charity and its services in the North West.
“I just think more people need to know about it. There are several people I’ve passed the helpline number on to, and they’ve accessed counselling. That feeling of helping someone is probably what’s made me stay with the committee as well,” she says.
She adds that seeing the direct impact of the charity’s work has been a major driving force behind her continued involvement.
“What resonates most with me is the real-life cases that you get to see where real-life electricians – and anyone else in the industry – are getting the help they need. Whether you’re a sales rep working for a manufacturer or a delivery driver, I like the fact that it covers everyone in the industry,” she says.
For Rachael, the most rewarding aspect of her work is seeing the results of the committee’s efforts translate into real support for people in her region.
“Seeing the time and effort we put in going into fruition and seeing how much money we raise, and seeing how that is helping people in my region is incredibly rewarding,” she says.
The EIC has seen a 150% increase in support requests from the North West region since its inception, reflecting growing awareness and engagement in the region thanks to the hard work of the North West Committee.
Making a Real Difference
Rachael says her proudest achievement so far is knowing she has helped people access vital support.
“Hearing that the people I passed the helpline number on to got access to counselling feels like such an achievement. If I didn’t have that number and couldn’t pass that info on to the people I’ve spoken to, they wouldn’t have gotten the help. I feel proud for doing that,” Rachael says.
She also says she feels a strong sense of pride in the growing awareness of the charity across the North West.
“Each time we have an event in the North West, we see more and more people getting involved,” she says.
With upcoming events such as the North West Networking Afternoon in June and the North West Autumn Lunch in October, Rachael says she hopes to see more contractors attending and engaging with the charity.
“The word about the charity needs to get out to our contractors. They need to know this help exists,” she says.
Looking Ahead
Looking to the future, Rachael says she would like to see the charity take a more hands-on approach in reaching contractors directly on site.
“I think the Charity needs to get more down and dirty with the guys on site, do a roadshow and get more contractors involved. These are the people we need to get in front of and spread the word amongst,” she says.
Going the Extra Mile
Rachael has also taken on personal challenges to support the charity, including one particularly memorable experience.
“One of my proud moments is doing a bungee jump for the EIC. I’ve always wanted to do a bungee jump, and this gave me the push to do it,” she says.
She adds that initiatives like this not only raise funds but also help shine a spotlight on the charity’s work.
Encouraging Others to Get Involved
For anyone considering joining an EIC committee, Rachael says the experience is both worthwhile and rewarding.
“It’s definitely worthwhile doing, and it’s very rewarding, especially when you come across somebody you can pass the number on to. It actually makes a difference, and it doesn’t take up much of your time at all,” she says.
Her journey is a testament to how individual actions can lead to meaningful change across the industry.
If you’d like to learn more about how you can get involved—whether as a volunteer, supporter, or committee member—click here to find out more about the ways you can make a difference.
