Campaigns
Who to call when the lights go out!
Carmarthen pensioners get all the advice they need
Left to right Pensioners Austin Jones, George Smith, Age Concern Trustee Rhiannon Scott, Arthur James and Eifion James all from Carmarthen receiving information packs from Age Concern Sir Gar.
Carmarthen pensioners, pictured here with Rhiannon Scott (trustee of Age Concern Sir Gâr) while visiting the town’s market recently, were given sound advice on what to do if their power supply fails.
Age Cymru, the new force combining Age Concern Cymru and Help the Aged in Wales, is working with Western Power Distribution (WPD) to help pensioners in west Wales know what to do when their power supply fails and the Carmarthen pensioners were amongst the first to visit the information stand at the market receiving guidance from Age Cymru, Western Power Distribution and Age Concern Sir Gâr.
Age Cymru and Western Power Distribution have worked together to draw up an eight point advice plan (see below) and have also produced a handy telephone-shaped fridge magnet displaying the telephone number of WPD’s free information line (0800 052 0400) – these fridge magnets are also available via your local Age Concern office.
Staff and volunteers from Age Concern Sir Gâr, Age Cymru, and representatives from WPD spent a day in Carmarthen handing out the fridge magnets. Age Concern Sir Gâr also handed our information packs to older shoppers visiting the market.
The Eight Point Plan
- Check your trip switch (near your fuse box or electricity meter). The switch will flick down if there is a problem with your supply. If this has happened switch off all your appliances and reset the switch. Your supply may come back on.
- Check to see if your neighbours have lost their power supply.
- If you cannot find a reason why you have no electricity call WPD 0800 052 0400.
- Make sure you keep an older style corded phone handy - one that plugs into the wall with a cord attached to the handset. Many new style digital phones do not work when there is a power cut.
- Keep the freezer door shut. Your food should stay frozen for at least 12 hours.
- Turn off any equipment you are not using that can get hot such as an iron, oven, or toaster.
- Make sure you keep a torch or lantern to hand - one that works without electricity such as a battery, wind-up or solar powered torch. A battery operated radio is also useful.
- Leave a light switch on so you know when power has been restored.
Don’t assume someone else has reported the power failure or that WPD knows: Make the call 0800 052 0400
If you or someone you know has a disability, illness or a condition that needs priority attention please call: 0845 601 2989 to register for WPD’s Priority Services Register.
FUEL POVERTY – are you at risk?
Age Concern Cymru want to consult older people on their energy efficiency needs relating to fuel poverty.
Part of the work of Age Concern revolves around campaigning and they are looking at Fuel Poverty and attempting to alleviate it for older people. We are all aware of the problems that have occurred this winter and that many older people have been cold because they cannot afford or fear they cannot pay for energy. In order to provide as much information to influence the government on fuel poverty, Age Concern are asking for help in completing a questionnaire, please could you take a few minutes to complete the questionnaire:
This is such an important issue for older people in Wales so please help if you can to ensure we receive as many replies as possible. The deadline for sending back the questionnaires is 15th May so time is short. Please e-mail replies to: rosalyn.williams@accymru.org.uk
Thank you for helping
Pensioners Forum Wales
For more information please visit Age Concern Cymru website
Post Offices
Age Concern response to proposed move of post offices to WH Smiths. See Age Concern England website.
Age Discrimination
See Age Concern Cymru and Age Concern England
Paying for Care?
Age Concern wants your views on paying for care, a fair system or not? See Age Concern England.
Digital Switchover
How the digital switchover affects you, what to do etc. See Information sheet number IS29 on Age Concern England website.
Malnourished adults in hospitals
See Malnourishment in hospitals article on Age Concern England Web site.