While some primary pupils have returned to the classroom, others continue to learn from home and Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) is encouraging those who live in the Ridgeway region to take part in the distribution operator's interactive learning programme.
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.
Prior to the UK's lockdown, SSEN had delivered the specially created online safety talks, Power Pack Pals, to over 1,125 primary school pupils across its Ridgeway region which covers parts of Hampshire, Oxfordshire, Swindon and Wiltshire. Now, SSEN employeesare engaging online with over 280 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.
This SSEN education resource is aimed at a younger audience, aged from seven to eleven, 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.
Lucy Anderson, Customer Relationship Manager for SSEN in the Ridgeway Region said: "Each year, we go to local primary schools, scout groups and children's clubs to deliver the Power Pack Pals presentations so local children can take part in the activities and learn about our network. Under the current circumstances we can't carry out the presentations in person, so we've adapted Power Pack Pals to make it fully online and interactive, to help support parents and teachers across the our region with their lesson plans.
"I'd ask 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.
"While some pupils have returned to the classroom, we're aware that home schooling is still part of many families' days, so we hope that our updated Power Pack Pals - with parent fact sheet and lesson template - can act as an additional and fun learning resource."
Parents and schools can access the packs by emailing: powerpackpalssse.com or by going to www.powerpackpals.com.
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.
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 - https://www.ssen.co.uk/PriorityServices/.
