Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) has joined forces with Slough Borough Council to offer additional free services in relation to potential power cuts and impartial energy efficiency advice to over 7,000 households this winter.
Earlier this month, Slough Borough Council delivered its regular 'Housing Highlights' newsletter to around 7,200 local homes and by working with SSEN has provided its readers with information and contact details for SSEN's Priority Services Register (PSR), along with free guidance and information through its partnership with YES Energy Solutions.
The newsletter highlights the benefits to households looking to save money, improve their energy efficiency and prepare for the winter months ahead through available free services, along with the contact details they need to get in touch free of charge and in confidence.
Through the distribution network operator's Priority Services Register (PSR), customers who could find themselves in a vulnerable situation during planned or unplanned power outages are offered free extra support, which varies according to the individual customer's needs, and through YES Energy Solutions is also offering free, expert advice on energy efficiency; all part of SSEN's ongoing commitment to supporting its customers.
Mohammed Kamraiz, SSEN's Customer and Community Advisor for Slough said:
"At SSEN, we want to ensure we do all we can to cater for our customers' needs through the winter and beyond. We've already had a great uptake in local residents signing up to our PSR, but we know there are still some households which could benefit from the free assistance, and with the help of Slough Borough Council we're hoping to reach out to them."
"Our PSR leaflets are available in different languages, so if you, a relative or friend haven't signed up yet to SSEN's PSR, I'd encourage you to read and share our information, and help any vulnerable family members to register for this free service by going to ssen.co.uk/PSR or calling us on 0800 2943259."
Councillor Mohammed Nazir, Cabinet Member for Housing and Community Safety at Slough Borough Council, said:
"These free schemes available through Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks could lead to vital help for a vulnerable person at a time when they need it most during a disruption in the electricity supply, especially in the cold winter months.
"Slough BoroughCouncil continues to work with various partners and stakeholders, including SSEN, to improve the lives of Slough residents."
Earlier this year, SSEN extended its PSR criteria to customers who may require additional help during the coronavirus pandemic, so those categorised at 'high risk' and 'extremely high risk' of severe illness from coronavirus are now eligible to sign up for additional support.
Customers are eligible for SSEN's Priority Services Register if they:
- Are deaf or hard of hearing
- Have a disability
- Live with children under five
- Are blind or partially sighted
- Have a chronic illness
- Use medical equipment/aids reliant on electricity
- Are over 60
SSEN produces its Priority Services Register leaflets in 11 different languages; all of which are also available to read and download from its website, by going to: www.ssen.co.uk/psr. The website will also translate every page to over 100 languages, and read 33 of them aloud; simply by clicking on the Accessibility 'triple A' button in the top right hand corner.
SSEN's partnership with YES Energy Solutions, a Community Interest Company, provides customers with a free service giving impartial energy efficiency advice on subjects including grants and loans available for insulation and heating systems, money that could be claimed - such as the Warm Home Discount and Winter Fuel Payment, and the effective use of smart meters. Customers are able to self-refer to receive advice from 'YES' expert advisors who will offer guidance on how to make their energy bills more affordable and live in a warmer more comfortable home by registering at ssen.co.uk/energyadvice.