Communities in Thames Valley are being urged to reassess their resilience measures and how their needs in responding to power cuts and emergency situations may have changed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

With nearly one million customers living and working in rural and urban areas across Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) Thames Valley region – which covers locations including Bracknell, High Wycombe, Newbury, Reading and Slough – the network operator is calling on Local Resilience Forums and support groups to get in touch to discuss the free, additional help that can be offered to communities and vulnerable individuals.

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SSEN is offering to help community and resilience groups formalise the support networks they have established and developed during the pandemic, and to build their own cohesive contingency plans to see them through situations which could adversely affect residents and local businesses.

SSEN's Customer Relationship Manager, Bryan Puszkar said: "We are aware of great work going on across our Thames Valley communities and want to help them further build their resilience, so they are confident and strong in the event of severe weather, emergency situations or unplanned power outages.

"The diverse needs of communities and individuals may have changed as a result of the pandemic and we want to offer up-to-date solutions and guidance to help prevent people feeling or becoming vulnerable during a time of crisis."

He added: "SSEN already offers additional, free help through our Priority Services Register (PSR) and YES Energy Solutions, who offer free, expert advice on energy efficiency, but I would ask local groups to contact us to assist in incorporating these and other services into their own contingency plans, and help keep their communities safe."