Thousands helped by warm scheme (From Andover Advertiser)

Thousands helped by warm scheme

11:00am Monday 18th March 2013 in News

A SCHEME which operates in Andover is celebrating after helping thousands of vulnerable people across England and Wales to stay warm at home this winter.

Between November 2012 and February 2013, npower Health Through Warmth, which helps people whose health is affected by cold living conditions by installing or replacing heating systems, took more than 2,000 referrals and secured £1.2m to fund measures, such as new boilers.

The scheme helps vulnerable people in Andover through partnerships with local organisations and is available to homeowners who have a cold-related illness, a low income with little or no savings and who are unable to fully fund measures.

You do not have to be, or become, an npower customer to benefit from the scheme.

To support vulnerable people, the scheme finds funding from different organisations and this winter secured more than £150,000 of charitable funds, as well as £327,500 from the npower Health Through Warmth Crisis Fund.

Elaine Midwinter, npower Health Through Warmth scheme manager, said: “Living in a cold home can have a severe impact on health, so we are pleased that we have been able to assist so many people this winter.

“Even though the freezing weather is hopefully behind us for another year, help is still available from Health Through Warmth.

“Thanks to our partnerships with organisations such as home improvement agencies and charities, we are hoping to help even more people in Andover with heating and insulation and we are encouraging anyone who feels that they, or someone they know, may be eligible, to get in touch.”

Since 2000, more than 79,000 vulnerable residents in England and Wales have been referred to npower Health Through Warmth for help with heating and insulation.

For more information about npower Health Through Warmth, visit healththroughwarmth.com.