Image above shows, from left to right: SSEN's Savana Walker, with Warmth Matters podcasts hosts Olee Bolt and Jenni Few

Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) is calling on residents across its South East region to sign up to its Priority Services Register (PSR)to receive extra support during power cuts and to find out more about energy efficiency and money saving measures.

With a quarter of a million customers living and working in rural and urban areas across SSEN's South East region, which covers locations including Chichester, Portsmouth, Aldershot, Basingstoke and the Isle of Wight - the network operator wants to help local residents to register for the free advice and services that can help them save money and prepare for adverse weather, which can bring the potential for disruption to power supplies.

SSEN's call to action for customers comes as it teams up with Action Hampshire and Surrey Community Action to record the Warmth Matters podcast, talking about the additional free services that residents across the South East can benefit from through both PSR and the distribution operator's partnership with YES Energy Solutions.

For almost 70 years, Action Hampshire has been supporting not-for-profit organisations to deliver services to local people and communities, while Surrey Community Action works to provide advice, services and support to voluntary and community groups, parish councils and social enterprises. The organisations invited SSEN customer and community care colleagues, Savana Walker and Jasmin Myhill to record the Warmth Matters podcast that is available to listen to here and reaches a wide audience across the SSEN's South East distribution area; encouraging customers to sign up for the additional assistance during power cuts and explaining how the distribution operator can help during storms and adverse weather events.

Savana Walker, SSEN's Customer and Community Advisor said:

"We were thrilled when Action Hampshire and Surrey Community Action suggested we come on board with one of their podcasts; helping us to speak to our customers and communities, and letting them know about the free, additional assistance SSEN can offer.

"At SSEN, we do all we can to cater for our customers' needs throughout the year and we'd like to encourage them to find out more about PSR and YES Energy Solutions, so they can feel confident that help is at hand all year round and whatever the weather.

"Across our South East region, we've already had a great uptake inlocal residentssigning up to our PSR, but we know there are still some households which could benefit from the scheme and with our PSR leaflets produced in 11 different languages, we're asking families and friends to help share our PSR information with those close to them."

David Carter, Advice and Guidance Officer at Surrey Community Action, said:

"We are delighted to be working with SSEN and Action Hampshire, and promoting vital services and information to local people and local communities. Creating these podcasts will help make valuable information available to wider audience."

SSEN offers several free services including itsPSR,and confidential guidance and information through its partnership with YES Energy Solutions;helping households looking to save money, improve their energy efficiency and prepare for weather events that have the potential to interrupt power supplies.

Through the 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 offeringfree, expert advice on energy efficiency; all part of SSEN's ongoing commitment to supporting its customers.

Customers are eligible for SSEN's Priority Services Register (PSR) 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

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 also eligible to sign up for additional support. 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.

In addition to signing up for PSR or seeking guidance from YES Energy Solutions, SSEN is also encouraging customers to download the free-to-call 105 emergency number and SSEN's Power Track app on any phones or digital devices they have, to enable them to report power cuts and emergencies, and to be kept updated on those situations.

The SSEN and Action Hampshire podcast can be heard by going to Warmth Matters podcast.