Funding boost to help curb fuel poverty amongst older people
 

Green charity Peterborough Environment City Trust (PECT) has joined forces with Peterborough City Council, The Salvation Army, and Age UK to launch a new three month project to stop winter-related deaths.

Shocking statistics have shown that an average of 86 people1 in Peterborough die annually during winter due to cold weather. The Winter Warmth Partnership project aims to stop these preventable deaths from happening by ensuring older people receive the support and benefits they are entitled to, as well as offering practical advice on reducing the cost of energy bills.

Local residents aged 75 and over are being encouraged to call 01733 882 544 (Monday to Friday 9am -5pm) and speak to a trained advisor for advice on how to prevent fuel poverty. As part of the initial phone call a home visit will be scheduled where residents can receive one-to-one advice in the comfort of their own homes.
Specialist Winter Warmth partnership advisors carry out the home visits to advise older residents about any benefits and relevant key services they might be entitled to.

Advice will be provided on how to reduce the cost of energy bills and stay warm and healthy during winter. The energy check will look at whether drafts are being excluded, whether heating is being effectively controlled by timers, and whether home insulation has been installed. Referrals to relevant organisations, for example free loft insulation schemes or city council’s Care and Repair scheme, will then be made to ensure home improvements are hassle free for older residents.
Latest figures from the Energy Saving Trust show that only 9.3% of houses in Peterborough have taken advantage of the government’s Carbon Efficiency Reduction Target (CERT) energy savings scheme. Simple changes, such as insulating homes with loft and cavity wall insulations, could save households over £100 in fuel bills per year.

PECT’s Communities Team Leader, Maxine Palmer, said, “It’s completely unacceptable that older people are suffering during the colder months of the year. This kind of suffering is easily prevented – this project is about making sure older people are aware of and can access the services and support on offer to them.
“We would urge any older person in Peterborough, as well as their concerned children or grandchildren to call our hotline. Older people are entitled to a range of free help and benefits – with the cold weather setting in, now is a good opportunity to make sure you are receiving the help you need.”

For more information about how the Winter Warmth Partnership can help you, please call the helpline on 01733 882554. We also offer a call-back service.
 

Notes to Editor
 

Peterborough Environment City Trust (PECT) is a charity set up following Peterborough’s designation as a UK Environment City in 1992. PECT carries out research and implements practical projects to protect and improve the environment. Our mission at PECT is to lead and support the city in delivering growth and regeneration in a truly environmentally sustainable way. As a successful charity we work with a wide variety of stakeholders to make a difference for our environment – through innovation, enterprise and commitment to action on the ground. PECT has a strong track record of delivering projects of regional and national significance. It has a staff of 35 working on initiatives from green spaces to business environmental management to sustainable communities and lifestyles.
                                                                       
For further information please contact:

Janine Starling, Operations Manager, Peterborough Environment City Trust, The Green House, 1st Floor, 4 – 6 Cowgate, Peterborough, PE1 1NA
Tel: 01733 866443  
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Website: www.pect.org.uk