Caroline Nokes, MP for Romsey and Southampton North, has seen first-hand the improvements that Southern Electric Power Distribution (SEPD) is making to the service it provides to customers in the local area.
Hosted by SEPD’s Head of Region, Craig Gilroy, the visit to the company’s depot in Malwood gave the local MP the opportunity to learn more about the company’s overall investment programme, including upgrades to the local electricity network, the recent addition of a new fleet of welfare vehicles and the help the company can provide vulnerable customers in the area.
Over the past year SEPD has spent millions across its operating region of central southern England as part of its commitment to keeping the lights on.
For some customers electricity really is a lifeline if it is needed for home medical equipment, and that is why SEPD has its Priority Service Register. This free service offers extra care and support to eligible customers when their power is off, and SEPD is urging anyone who thinks they, or a friend or family member, may qualify to get in touch.
The company has also recently purchased a new fleet of welfare vans which are used to provide free hot food, drinks and mobile charging facilities to customers in areas where the power may be off.
Matt Yates, Customer Relationship Manager and Bryan Puszkar, Customer Community Advisor spent a portion of the visit giving a demonstration of the new vehicle and the services it provides, and discussing the help that is on hand for customers.
Matt said: “When the power goes off, we want to do as much as possible to help; whether it’s something as simple as making a hot cuppa for customers who come to the welfare van, or delivering a hot meal to someone who is housebound through to arranging delivery of a generator to a customer on an oxygen machine, our focus is always on delivering the best possible service.”
Speaking after the visit, Caroline Nokes MP said: “It was really useful to see at first hand the commitment SEPD has made to resilience on the network and customer care when there are issues. Their target times for resolution of problems are very challenging, but there is a real determination to make life better for customers.”
Craig Gilroy explains why this ongoing investment in customer service is so important to SEPD: “Our priority is to keep the lights on 24/7, and that is why we spend millions every year to make sure our network is as resilient as it can be. However, on the rare occasion that the power goes off for a short while, it’s vital that we look after our customers as much as possible. By investing in our new welfare vans and increasing the awareness of our Priority Service Register we want to make sure that our customers get the best possible service we can provide at all times.”
To learn more about SEPD’s Priority Service Register, please call or 0800 294 3259 or visit the company’s website, https://www.ssepd.co.uk/PriorityServices/.