“You Never Know When You’re Going to Need It”: Neil Baldwin on 10 Years Supporting the EIC

Neil Baldwin is on the Electrical Industries Charity’s Yorkshire Committee and has been making a huge difference behind the scenes for 10 years.

Neil first discovered the charity at a fundraising lunch,

“10 years ago, I got invited as a guest with some customers and started to hear about and understand what the EIC was all about, Neil recalls.

Since then, he has attended EIC events up and down the country every year.

“Once I got to understand that a bit more, I got a lot more involved. The events were always a good opportunity to raise money for charity, plus it’s great for networking and having a good day out with some of your customers,” Neil says.

Neil was inspired to continue supporting the charity because, as he says, “you never know when you’re going to need it.”

“It was more about hoping you never have to use it, but knowing it’s there,” says Neil. “There aren’t many industries you work in where you’ve got a safety net of this charity that can take care of you and your family when some of the worst things can happen to you. Why wouldn’t I want to do that?”

Supporting People Across the Industry

What resonates most with Neil is the EIC’s mission to support people across the industry.

“I think you have things that can happen in your life, whether it’s your child getting sick, or your wife, or getting made redundant,” Neil says. “So many people live month to month that suddenly you’re into a world of pain, especially if there’s a lot of other people being made redundant, because then the job market’s tough. So this charity and what it offers is a really big thing.”

“It’s a worthwhile thing to put your time into,” says Neil. “If I fall down the stairs and break my leg today, suddenly I’m going to need the charity.”

The Cause Behind the Challenges

Neil’s proudest achievement to date was taking part in the Challenge for a Cause trek to Machu Picchu in 2023.

“That was a bucket list thing to do whilst raising a lot of money for the charity,” he reminisces, “it was phenomenal. I’m eager to do another one when the right event comes up.”

In the meantime, Neil is looking forward to taking part in the EIC Day celebrations in September.

Neil’s “why” is rooted in the stories he hears from friends and colleagues who have received support from the charity.

“When you hear those stories, whether it’s sickness or mental health, you can suddenly understand what we do this all for,” says Neil.

“People say it’s made a massive impact on their life, and that makes me really happy. because that’s exactly why you’re doing it – so people can get help when they desperately need it.”

The Invisible Struggle

Looking to the future, Neil wants to see more people getting involved with the charity at both a regional and national level.

He also hopes to raise greater awareness among businesses in the industry that the charity may already be supporting more of their employees than they realise.

“People are very good at putting on a facade of normality, even when their lives are falling to pieces,” he says.

“In our industry, we’ve got divorce twice the national average, suicide twice the national average, and the prevalence of gambling addiction and substance addiction, so it’s going to be a much bigger number than you think it is.”

Neil believes that by speaking to businesses and making them aware of the support available to employees, these issues can be addressed earlier.

Neil’s Words of Advice

To anyone considering joining a regional committee, Neil says that giving up even a small amount of time can make a powerful difference.

“I’ll just say if you’re going to do it, do it, you know, commit. It’s not a lot of time. You know, we have committee meetings every couple of months. It doesn’t take long,” he says.

“Put yourself in the position of somebody who needs it, but there wasn’t the funding available there to support them. Imagine if that were you,” says Neil. “And by just giving up a little bit of your time and your efforts, you can make a difference in people’s lives in a positive way.”

“Committees work best when everyone on the team is fully invested in being there, showing up and making a difference. Nobody wants a team member who is only there on paper, so I would encourage everyone to get involved, and stay involved, attending the Committee meetings alongside the events, it is truly a rewarding and enriching experience.”

After a decade of dedication, Neil Baldwin continues to champion the Electrical Industries Charity with the same passion that first inspired him at a fundraising lunch 10 years ago. Through fundraising events, committee work and raising awareness of the support available, he has helped strengthen a safety net that many people in the industry may one day rely on.

The EIC’s Regional Committees organise and host over 30 events each year, generating a significant proportion of our annual income. Not only do they raise much-needed funds, but they also help spread awareness of the Electrical Industries Charity and the support we provide to employees, their families, and businesses.

Becoming an EIC Regional Committee member is a great way to get involved and make a difference. 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.