Warm Homes Healthy People

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Last winter was one of the coldest in Britain in 100 years and forecasts predict another exceptionally cold and snowy period in the first few months of 2012. Despite the support of such things as the winter fuel allowance, the cold months of the year can be a very difficult time for the elderly and vulnerable, particularly if weather conditions make it difficult to carry out normal day to day activities like grocery shopping and going to the doctors.

To help tackle the problems faced by the elderly and vulnerable during the winter months, the Department of Health launched its Warm Homes Healthy People initiative in November 2011, with the publication of the Cold Weather Plan for England.

As part of this initiative Local Authorities were invited to bid for the new Warm Homes Healthy People Fund 2011/12. Kingston Council’s Warm Homes Healthy People scheme will provide assistance to elderly and vulnerable people during the cold winter months.

Residents of the borough who are elderly or vulnerable may be eligible to receive FREE advice and assistance including:

• Help with home improvements
• Loft clearance in preparation for insulation
• Provision of hot meals
• Grants for home insulation
• Snow clearance on garden paths and driveways
• Transport to medical appointments
• Collecting prescriptions
• Shopping for essentials

Anyone at risk of ill health during cold weather may be eligible, including:

• The elderly or frail
• Those with children under five years old
• Pregnant women who are struggling to cope with daily chores
• Those with a disability (long or short-term)
• Those with other special needs such as mental health or physical injury

To find out more you can contact your GP, Community Health Worker or the Property Inspection Team at Kingston Council  on 020 8547 5003 or warmhomes@rbk.kingston.gov.uk.

Alternatively you can contact our project partner Age Concern Kingston on 020 8942 8256.

The Warm Homes Healthy People scheme is an important project for Kingston and is supported by our partner organisations Age Concern Kingston, Kingston Citizens Advice Bureau, NHS Kingston, Kingston Voluntary Action, Kingston Volunteer Centre and Richmond and Kingston Accessible Transport.

The Warm Front team provide grants of up to £3,500 to make homes warmer, healthier to live in and more energy efficient. The grant provides a package of insulation and heating measures for those on qualifying benefits. For further information contact the Warm Front team on freephone 0800 316 2805 or go to www.direct.gov.uk/warmfront.

A local fund open to private homeowners and private tenants across the borough. The grant is for home energy efficiency works, such draught proofing, insulation measure and heating improvements for those residents who fulfil the eligibility criteria. For further information, please phone 020 8547 5003 and ask to speak to the Private Sector and Public Health Team. Read more on our website.

Houseproud provides assistance to help homeowners aged 60 and over, or households with a disabled person of any age repair, improve or adapt their homes so they can continue to enjoy living there safely and independently. Call the freephone helpline on 0800 783 7569 for more information. Read more on our website.

Available to most people over the age of 60. Call the Winter Fuel Payment Helpline on 0845 915 1515 or visit the website.

Available to people on a range of benefits with their additional heating costs during winter. Visit the website.

Covers heating systems. For more information about this grant, call us on 020 8547 5003 and find out if you qualify for grant aid.

To check you are receiving all the benefits you are entitled to, visit www.direct.gov.uk. Alternatively contact Kingston Citizens Advice on 0844 826 9701 or visit www.adviceguide.org.uk

Contact Kingston Citizens Advice on 0844 826 9701 or visit www.adviceguide.org.uk

• Dress appropriately, in layers of thinner clothes rather than one thick layer.
• Stay active, alternate rest and activity, but don’t take risks in wet or icy weather.
• Eat well, sip hot drinks regularly throughout the day and stock up on provisions in case you can’t get out to the shops.
• Set your heating to the right temperature (18–21°C/64–70°F) in the rooms you use during the day.
• If you don’t want to heat your bedroom all the time, make sure it’s warm before you go to bed and use the timer to make sure it’s warm when you get up.
• If you use an electric blanket, make sure it’s safe. The Electrical Safety Council runs a telephone helpline for anyone concerned about electric blankets and other electrical safety issues 0870 040 0561.