Are you struggling to keep your home warm this winter? PECT offers free advice for vulnerable households, to help them cut down on heating bills and stay warm throughout the festive season. Warm housing is important for our physical and mental wellbeing, and it can lower the risks from respiratory illnesses, such as Coronavirus.
If you have above-average fuel costs or your income is below the poverty line, you may be experiencing fuel poverty. Fuel poverty has a serious impact on health and wellbeing. Combined with cold housing conditions, it can lead to higher winter death rates. The NHS warns that cold weather increases cases of strokes, heart attacks, pneumonia and depression, alongside other illnesses.
PECT’s Warm Homes project, which works in partnership with Fenland District Council, aims to help people maintain a warmer home, support their health and wellbeing, and reduce their energy bills.
“People may be struggling to keep their homes heated this winter. The problem has been exacerbated by the economic, health and social challenges created by Covid-19”, explains Project Officer Nikki Dekker. “Cold and damp housing can cause serious impacts on our health and wellbeing. If you have any friends or family who are struggling to heat their homes this winter, let them know about our free and impartial Warm Homes service.”
As one previous beneficiary said: “I wish I had known about this before instead of living in the cold. Because of my health conditions, being cold is bad for my health, and this has made a big difference.”
Over the winter, it is vital to keep your home warm. You can support vulnerable friends, family or neighbours who struggle with fuel poverty by informing them about Warm Homes. Warm Homes is a free service, available for people living in Huntingdonshire and Fenland. It offers information and resources to keep your home warm, reduce bills and cut carbon emissions.
To access the Warm Homes service, please contact 01733 568408 ext. 313, email [email protected] or visit www.pect.org.uk/WarmHomes.