More than 14,000 vulnerable people in Bolton are eligible for extra help during power cuts. 

Bolton's Money Skills and Electricity North West have found that thousands in the town are entitled to sign up to the Extra Care Register. 

The register is a free service for vulnerable people to help accommodate them in the case of an emergency, such as a power cut. 

To sign up to the Extra Care Register, ring 0800 195 41 41 or visit: https://www.enwl.co.uk/power-cuts/extra-care/register-or-update-your-details/

Vulnerable people include those who are of pensionable age, disabled, use medical equipment, who have a hearing impairment, are blind or partially sighted, have a chronic illness, children under five or need temporary support. 

The register keeps customers informed of and provides these services - early weather warnings to help plan and prepare, notice of planned power cuts, regular updates of planned power cuts, regular updates of when households are without power, hot meals or additional services if power is off for a longer period of time, the ability to choose a nominated contact for updates and a password register for home visits.

An example of what Electricity North West could do is, if it knew someone who was on medication that needs to be stored in a fridge is set to have a power cut, it could supply a generator, as it might for someone with a chairlift or breathing aids that would require a mains supply. 

Bolton's Money Skills can offer energy-saving advice, help with budgeting, billing issues/arrears and confidential debt management.

This help can be delivered by small group sessions tailored to meet the needs and requirements of the attendees or in confidential one-to-one discussions where needed.