App to help tackle social isolation during COVID-19

8th April 2020

Alex Lynn

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Electricity engineers out on the road are doing their bit to help customers cope with social isolation, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Over 3,000 UK Power Networks’ employees who are key workers to keep the power flowing, now have a new app which helps them support customers feeling socially isolated.

The app hosts useful information to help them access:

Health support
News and updates
Getting groceries
Exercising at home
Coping with isolation
Registering for priority services with UK Power Networks and other utilities

Crews can use it on tablet devices, to relay helpful information to residents they meet, while they carry out essential work on the electricity network across London, the East and South East of England.

The company regularly sends information to people living in vulnerable circumstances to make sure they get the help they need, and has strong links with expert partners. Within the first week of lockdown, it has texted over 100,000 of the most vulnerable people signed up to its Priority Services Register to offer extra help such as access to local support in healthcare, food and wellbeing.

Ian Cameron, Head of Customer Services and Innovation said: “Our top priorities during the coronavirus pandemic are the safety of the public and our employees, and keeping power flowing to communities.

“It is vital that we continue to help our customers in vulnerable circumstances and support communities to the best of our ability, and in the current climate we’re looking for new, innovative and useful ways to do that.”

Power supplies are 99.9% reliable but interruptions can sometimes happen for a variety of reasons, and people who would feel vulnerable can sign up to be on the Priority Services Register at www.ukpowernetworks.co.uk or by calling 105.