Age needs one voice. Now it has:
Age Cyrmru is the new force combining Age Concern Cymru and
Help the Aged in Wales. Age Cymru is a member of the Age UK family.
The new force combining &
Published on 25 November 2010 03:00 PM
Older people in South East, South West and Mid Wales who register with Western Power Distribution’s Priority Service Register could be in with a chance to win a cash-saving electricity monitor.
The older people’s charity Age Cymru has teamed up with electricity distribution company Western Power Distribution (WPD) to encourage as many older people as possible to sign up to its Priority Services Register.
Everyone who registers before January 31, 2010 will be placed into a ‘lucky dip’ and the first 25 people drawn out of the hat will win a state-of-the-art electricity monitor.
This is a new device that helps consumers measure how much electricity they are using and, more importantly, how much cash they could be saving.
WPD’s Priority Services Register is designed to help the old and vulnerable in the event of a power cut.
The company is proactive in making contact with them to explain how long power may be off, and will also arrange to deliver hot food and drink if necessary.
In the past, WPD has also installed back-up generators in care homes, and provided emergency power to people with medical conditions.
Age Cymru’s Michael Phillips says:
“I would urge all older people who can to take advantage of this scheme so that the company is aware of them and so that it can provide them with the crucial support they need during the rare occasions when the power supply fails.
“It can be worrying for some people when their power is switched off, especially if they have serious medical needs, so registering with this scheme is an ideal way to gain that all important commodity of peace of mind.”
Phil Davies, WPD’s Network Services Manager for Wales said: “We want as many people as possible to sign up to the register. This way, we can give practical advice and support to those people who need it.
“We deliver electricity to around a million homes and businesses in South and West Wales, and it is important for our older and vulnerable customers to register with our scheme so that they can get additional support on the rare occasions when power supplies fail."
To sign up to WPD’s Priority Services Register and, at the same time enter into the free draw for an electricity monitor, simply call the freephone number 0845 601 2989.
ENDS
CONTACT
For all media enquiries, please contact Iwan Rhys Roberts, Communications Officer – Age Cymru, on 07739 894 923, 029 2043 1562, iwan.roberts@agecymru.org.uk
NOTES TO EDITORS
Age Cymru:
• Age Cymru is the force combining Age Concern Cymru and Help the Aged in Wales.
• Age affects us all in different ways. We cannot promise good health, but we should be able to ensure good care for all of us. When we find loneliness, we will reach out. When age becomes a burden, we will lighten the load.
• Age Cymru will campaign. We will fundraise. We will research. We will make the powers that be listen.
• Age Cymru is a registered charity 1128436.
• Company limited by guarantee and registered by in England and Wales 6837284.
• Registered office address: Tŷ John Pathy, 13/14 Neptune Court, Vanguard Way, Cardiff, CF24 5PJ.
• Age Cymru is working in partnership with local Age Concerns.
• Visit our website – www.agecymru.org.uk
WPD:
Priority Customers:
WPD is committed to customer service excellence and to ensuring that our customers receive the correct and most appropriate level of service at all times.
Our Code of Practice on services for elderly, disabled, chronically sick, blind or deaf customers has the agreement of Ofgem, the industry regulator, and meets the requirements under the Disability Discrimination Act 1999.
Even so, we recognise that there are many vulnerable customers who do not fall into this category but who may still require assistance during times when there is a prolonged electricity supply disruption.
Our round-the-clock initiative with the Women's Royal Volunteer Service (WRVS) is designed to help.
It provides assistance for those who may have been without power for longer than four hours and who do not have access to hot water or food.
Our customer Contact Centre staff are trained to assess need and to respond quickly to enable the WRVS network of 12,000 volunteers in our region to provide valuable assistance.
For further information about how to register call us direct on 0845 601 2989 or email us at wpdpriorityservices@westernpower.co.uk
Set your location to see what Age Cymru offers in your local area.
For all media enquiries about Age Cymru, please contact our Communications Officer, Iwan Rhys Roberts.
07739 894 923
Set the appearance of this website so you can read it more easily
To see information relating to England, Northern Ireland or Scotland set your preference below: