With two weeks until the deadline of its first round of funding, Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) is encouraging local communities in central southern England to apply for their share of a new £350,000 fund to support communities affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

SSEN's existing Resilient Communities Fund (RCF) has been repurposed to support communities responding to coronavirus and is offering grants of up to £3,000 for projects across its south distribution area that are helping councils support those in vulnerable situations.

This initial round of funding, which will close on Thursday 30 April, is open to community, parish, borough and town councils, with applications being encouraged for projects that will provide extra help to those who are self-isolating or social shielding, such as the elderly or those with underlying health conditions. Examples that would qualify for a grant include, but are not limited to, social delivery services, online advice centres or befriending schemes.

Grant awards will be issued in early May to get extra support to those that need it during these difficult times. Applications are also open during this time for community councils in the north of Scotland, with full details available online at ssen.co.uk/resiliencefund.

One of SSEN's Heads of Regions supporting the fund is Jo Niven from Wessex. She said:

"We have a critical role in ensuring power flows, and supporting the communities we serve in their efforts to stay at home. It's been encouraging to see how communities are responding and are pulling together at this difficult time. I call on all local community council, parish, borough and town council representatives to apply for a grant where they think we can help."

The Resilient Communities Fund is just one way in which SSEN is helping its customers during this time. SSEN is also aware that customers may have concerns relating to power cuts during and wants to remind them of the additional help it can provide. SSEN's Priority Services Register (PSR) is a free, tailored service available to all who meet its criteria - from a new-born baby to an elderly relative being cared for at home - and SSEN is asking its customers across central southern England to find out more about PSR and how it could assist them.

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/aid reliant on electricity
  • Are over 60
  • Would benefit from PSR services for any other reason, even if temporarily

SSEN produces its Priority Services Register leaflets in 14 different languages; all of which are also available to read and download from its website, by going to: www.ssen.co.uk/psr.

Since its launch in 2015, SSEN's Resilient Communities Fund has provided over £2.4 million to 362 local community projects to build resilience and protect those most vulnerable. The criteria for this year's fund was changed following consultation with SSEN stakeholder groups, who strongly supported opening the fund early and targeting coronavirus response. For more information on this year's Resilient Communities Fund or to apply, please visit ssen.co.uk/resiliencefund.

To check who your network operator is and to see if your community, parish, borough or town council is eligible for SSEN funding, visit ssen.co.uk/whoismynetworkoperator.