Northern Powergrid, the company responsible for keeping the lights on across the North East, Yorkshire and northern Lincolnshire, is getting animated when it comes to helping customers who may be more vulnerable in a power cut.
The electricity network operator has launched a series of new animations to share how it can provide extra support to customers who join its Priority Services Register and is working with a range of partner organisations across the region to reach out into communities and encourage more people to consider signing-up to the free service.
In partnership with leading relationship advice charity, Relate, it’s also set to host a series of workshops for professionals working with vulnerable people with the first taking place on 26 September (9.30am to 2pm) at Newcastle City Library.
Regardless of who you choose to buy your electricity from, it’s Northern Powergrid that’s responsible for getting the power back on if there’s disruption to the region’s power network. Through the Priority Services Register, its Powergrid Care team is able to provide extra advice and support to customers who may be elderly, have a disability or have medical condition which means they may be more vulnerable in a power cut.
The new campaign focuses on customers who may have particular physical or mental health conditions and could benefit from extra support. The six animated videos portray real-life examples of customers that could find a power cut more personally challenging and details what Northern Powergrid can do to support and keep them informed.
VSCE organisations are encouraged to share details of the Northern Powergrid Priority Services Register with relevant beneficiary groups
Further details can be found: https://www.northernpowergrid.com/care
Or look at the PSR information pack: https://psr2.northernpowergrid.com/infopack/
Northern Powergrid have also produced a toolkit of resources for organisations wishing to promote the PSR register: https://www.northernpowergrid.com/psrpartners
Jessica Cook, Northern Powergrid’s consumer vulnerability manager, said: “For most people power cuts are rare and will only be an inconvenience, but for those who have a medical condition or equipment which relies on electricity, have young children or a mental health condition, it could have a bigger impact.
“We’re focused on raising awareness about how we can help and we’re reaching out to a wide range of partners and organisations across our operating area to help us spread the word about this free service.”
Jessica added: “If you sign up for our Priority Services Register, we will do our best to keep in touch with you throughout the power cut to make sure you are okay, talk to you about your individual needs and find the most suitable way to support you wherever possible. We hope that these videos will help us reach more people who may not know about our free Priority Services Register and encourage them to take the simple step to sign-up.”
You can watch the videos on Northern Powergrid’s YouTube channel:
- Meet Paul: He suffers from depression and he’s one of our priorities - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdFFzVui8zU
- Meet Aisha: She’s a disabled mother of six and one of our priorities - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgEY2XaQNns&t
- Meet Julie: She’s asthmatic and one of our priorities - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aI7C9VGRGAI
- Meet Pat: She and her husband have mobility issues – they’re one of our priorities- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AN9quUUSo4g
- Meet Greg: He’s a full time carer and one of our priorities - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qezUZ4QI8
- Meet Mike: He suffers from cystic fibrosis and he’s one of our priorities - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ss_jDdOUEXc
To sign-up to Northern Powergrid’s free Priority Services Register visit northernpowegrid.com/cares or call its Powergrid Care team on 0800 169 2996. Anyone wanting to attend the Newcastle workshop or details about future workshops planned elsewhere in the region, contact communications@northernpowergrid.com.