Children across Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks' (SSEN) Wessex region are being encouraged to take part in the distribution operator's interactive learning programme while they're home schooling due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Developed by SSEN, the specially created online safety talks, Power Pack Pals, had already been delivered to nearly 1,300 primary school pupils, cubs and scouts across Wessex prior to the UK's lockdown. Now, SSEN employees are engaging with all local primary schools, offering the package to teachers and parents in an online version that helps pupils better understand electricity infrastructure, its power and the potential perils associated with playing near cables and substations.
The interactive programme centres around four friends - known as the Power Pack Pals - who aim to spark the imagination of children and help them to appreciate why electricity, the 'Magic Power', is very important in the world of the network operator, but can also be dangerous, and should be treated with extra special care.
This SSEN education resource is aimed at a younger audience and is just one part of its commitment to empowering local communities and provides children with the information they need to stay safe near the electricity infrastructure while helping spark an interest in the network that powers their homes and schools.
Rebecca Botto, CCA for Wessex said:
"Thousands of primary school pupils have benefited and enjoyed the Power Pack Pals presentations and activities. With parents across Dorset, Wiltshire and Hampshire home schooling their children we wanted to make the presentation available to help support them and their lesson plans.
"Our team has contacted schools across the region to offer their pupils this new interactive version and with home schooling now a key part of many families' days, we're hoping that our updated Power Pack Pals - with parent fact sheet and lesson template - can act as an additional and fun learning resource.
"We'd like to encourage any interested schools and parents to get in touch with us, so we can provide them with the online pack and help primary age children gain an understanding of our network and the steps they can take to stay safe around it."
Parents and schools can access the packs by emailing: powerpackpals@sse.com or by going to www.powerpackpals.com.
In the last five years, SSEN has recorded over 1,140 near-miss incidents across its north and south networks involving third parties. Along with the 'Look Out, Look Up' campaign and sharing safety advice for customers planning to work near the overhead or underground network, SSEN has developed the Power Pack Pals programme to engage its younger audience.
Offering Power Pack Pals as an online tutorial is just one of the ways SSEN is working hard to support its customers in central southern England during the coronavirus pandemic. Our frontline operational teams, designated as critical workers, continue to work tirelessly to support the safe and reliable supply of electricity at local, regional and national level, helping to keep the power flowing to homes and businesses.
SSEN's core support teams, working from home where possible, are providing 24/7 service and support to our customers, especially the most vulnerable and SSEN has extended the support it provides to those most vulnerable by expanding the eligibility of its Priority Services Register to include customers at increased risk of severe illness during the coronavirus pandemic. A dedicated 80-strong team is also working to proactively contact customers who may be at risk of social isolation, checking in on their welfare and signposting to further community support where required.
Customers categorised at 'high risk' and 'extremely high risk' of severe illness from coronavirus are now eligible to sign up for additional support. This includes those following government guidelines who have received a letter from the NHS to socially shield for a 12-week period. To find out more about how PSR could help you, please go to our website.