Help To Keep Warm As Weather Freezes
2 February 2012, 06:00
After a relatively mild winter temperatures are set to plummet this week but help is on hand through a new countywide project.
This year help is available to vulnerable residents and households who are struggling to keep warm in Hertfordshire through Warm Homes Healthy People.
The project will focus on low income households and vulnerable groups such as those with small children and elderly residents.
Councillor Ann Shaw, Leader of Three Rivers District Council said: “I have been working with local people in Three Rivers for nearly 25 years with my Beat the Killer Cold campaign and this project is a great addition as it will give some quick wins such as warm meals and hot water bottles but also longer term help to get people’s homes well heated and insulated as well as advice on paying bills.”
The Warm Homes Healthy People project aims to tackle the reasons why people may be cold through a range of options including:
Home energy advice visits – Delivered by Groundwork’s Hertfordshire. Help ranges from providing utility tariff advice to setting up and advising customers on how to use their heating systems efficiently.
Emergency temporary heaters – Supplied in Watford by West Herts Against Crime (WHAC) the low energy heaters will be supplied and fitted in the main living and sleeping areas as required for households with broken or inadequate heating systems.
Warm packs – Delivered by WHAC and Age UK Hertfordshire. Packs include thermal blankets, socks, thermal mugs, slippers and hot water bottles. WHAC will also fit draught proofing and improve security to the property if required.
Financial Help – Citizens Advice Bureau can provide information about extra money you may be entitled to keep warm and help pay the bills.
Additional meals on wheels - Delivered for the freezer for any periods where weather prohibits normal delivery.
A one stop county team will deliver referrals through the Herts Help call centre and via online enquires. So if you are struggling to keep your home warm or are worried about a friend, neighbour or family member who is, you can call 0300 123 4044.