Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks' (SSEN) New Forest Depot has established a partnership with the team at Eastleigh's Alzheimer's Society in a bid to reach out to its customers who could be missing out on the free help and support offered by the company's Priority Service Register.

For some customers, being without electricity, even for a short time, can be a distressing and difficult situation. That's why SSEN offers extra help and support to ensure its customers are cared for.

Rebecca Botto, one of SSEN's Customer and Community Advisors (CCA) based at the company's Malwood Depot, is passionate about looking after her customer base, especially those who might benefit from some extra care and support if there is a powercut and was instrumental in setting up the partnership with the local Alzheimer's Society.

Rebecca said: "I've seen first-hand just how frightening dementia can be on an everyday basis, not just for the individuals themselves, but also for their family and loved ones and so I can only imagine how that upset can be magnified if the power goes off. This got me thinking of ways in which I could help, and so I contacted my local office of the Alzheimer's Society and had a chat about our Priority Service Register and I also explained the work that we do in the local community to help our more vulnerable customers when the electricity goes off."

Following Rebecca's approach to the group, a meeting was set up where everyone round the table had a look at the various ways in which SSEN can offer help and support, including pro-active communications before storms or weather events when there may be damage to the network causing powercuts, the use of mobile generation where it is logistically possible, and the delivery of free hot food and drinks to those impacted by extreme weather events. Rebecca also brought along one of SSEN's specially designed welfare vans, which is kitted out with a boiler-urn to dispense free hot drinks, mobile charging facilities and equipment to heat milk for young babies.

Gary Walker, Alzheimer's Society Service Manager, thought the meeting was a great way to start 2018, not just for residents in Eastleigh, but also further afield: "My role as Service Manager for Alzheimer's Society covers the New Forest, Eastleigh and Southampton. Our aim is to provide information and support, improve care, fund research, and create lasting change for people affected by dementia. We can't do this alone so I always welcome the opportunity to work with our partners, and it has been great working alongside Rebecca and from the team from SSEN who have demonstrated a real passion to help and support people living with dementia. We are looking forward to working together in 2018."

By registering for SSEN's PSR, customers will be proactively contacted to warn them of potential bad weather to help them prepare and to offer extra support where required. SSEN's teams will also keep in close and regular contact with its PSR customers during network outages to check they are getting the help they need. The free service also offers:

  • Dedicated 24-hr Priority Services phone number
  • Information in the format you need, eg Braille, Textphone, audio CD or foreign language

People can also nominate someone close to them, a family member or friend, to become their official contact for SSEN's dedicated PSR team. A security password system is then agreed to ensure the safety of customers.

To learn more about SSEN's Priority Service Register and see if you or a friend or family member are eligible, please visit ssen.co.uk/PriorityServices or call 0800 294 3259.