Harrow offers aid against the winter chill

People living in the London borough of Harrow are getting help and support aimed at helping them stay warm this winter. The Warm Homes, Healthy People programme is hoping to aid people in coping with the falling temperatures and is specifically targeting vulnerable residents.

The scheme is aiming to limit the impact of winter by ensuring the homes of elderly and vulnerable people in the borough are more energy efficient. 

Warm Homes, Healthy People is being run in partnership with Harrow Council and Thinking Works. It is targeting the homes of those that are suffering from long-term illness, over the age of 65 or have a disability.

Eligible residents are offered a free home visit, which will provide them with advice on how to improve the energy efficiency of their property to keep them warm and cut down on energy bills. The home visit will also fill them in on other local services that are available to keep them healthy and warm.

The programme can also help to install energy saving measures that could help residents save money on fuel costs.

Councillor Anne Whitehead, portfolio holder for public health, equality and wellbeing said: “With the weather getting colder with freezing temperatures, it is important to protect elderly and vulnerable residents. Cold homes pose a health risk and can lead to hospital admissions.

"Over the coming weeks, we will be visiting the elderly and the vulnerable and offering them the support and advice they need from boiler repairs and insulation to help on fuel debt and benefit entitlement.”

If the home visits find that residents need extra support, they will be referred by Thinking Works to Harrow Citizens Advice Bureau. Here they will be given advice on benefit entitlement, reducing fuel debt and other issues.

Those over the age of 65, suffering with a long-term health issue or a disability - or those that know eligible residents - can contact Thinking Works on 0800 118 2327 or by emailing giles@thinkingworks.co.uk.

Published 19th December, 2014

© 2014 Estates IT Limited