Campaign to keep warm hits the spot (From Andover Advertiser)
When news happens, text AND and your photos or videos to 80360. Or contact us by email and phone.
Elderly and vulnerable people being helped to keep warm
7:00pm Wednesday 6th March 2013 in Basingstoke By Helen Morton
Wendy Shone, Hitting the Cold Spots advisor, customer Mr David Stockwell and Cllr Hindson, Executive Member for Adult Social Care at Hampshire County Council
A COUNTY council scheme to help elderly and vulnerable people keep warm throughout the winter is being hailed as a success.
Since Hitting the Cold Spots was introduced in the winter of 2011-12, 160 home assessments have been carried out, more than 50 heating systems have been fixed, 75 oil-filled radiators have been supplied and more than 600 residents have been helped.
The scheme, funded by the Department of Health’s Warm Homes, Healthy People fund, aims to give older people and vulnerable people of any age immediate and practical advice on reducing energy bills, increasing available income and keeping warm.
Advice is available until the end of March from a trained adviser by calling 0800 804 8601 for free and, depending on the situation, further help may also be on offer with free home assessments, access to efficient, oil-filled radiators and grants to assist with hot water and heating repairs.
Councillor Felicity Hindson, executive member for adult social care at Hampshire County Council, said: “Cold weather not only makes life uncomfortable but can also lead to, and aggravate, serious health problems such as respiratory diseases, asthma, depression, heart disease and strokes.
“The scheme is building on last year’s initiative with another campaign targeted at older and vulnerable people who may fall beneath the radar and struggle to keep warm and pay the bills during the cold winter months.
“I’m very pleased that our Hitting the Cold Spots scheme is helping to people to keep warm.”
