This year we want to spread the message to keep well and warm over the winter. We are running a ‘Winter Wellbeing‘ campaign to help Richmond residents prepare for the winter. We are working with NHS Richmond and Age UK Richmond to deliver the campaign locally, and there is lots of information below on how to reduce your bills and tips to keep healthy when it’s cold.
It is our aim to make sure people are prepared and ready to keep healthy and warm in their homes this winter. We will keep you informed of all the help that is available: this includes financial support, help with insulation, reducing energy costs and help with health and well being.
One simple way to keep well over the winter is to get your flu jab from your GP: don’t wait until there is a flu outbreak before getting your jab! Contact your GP now to avoid the flu.
We can offer you help and advice on:
- Heating homes to the right temperature and finding out what help people are entitled to in their homes
- Avoiding cold related illness (such as flu and pneumonia)
- Eating well and wrapping up warm
- Help with money, benefits and grants
- Age UK Richmond upon Thames, Suite 301, 3rd Floor, Parkway House, Sheen Lane, East Sheen, London SW14 8LS
- Disability Action and Advice Centre, 4 Waldegrave Road, Teddington, TW11 8HT
- with more to follow through the winter
Top Tips on keeping warm and well – download these tips to keeping well: Keep warm and well this winter - Top Tips (479 downloads)
There is a lot of information and advice in our Winter Wellbeing factsheet: Winter Wellbeing factsheet 2012-13 (629 downloads)
Warm and Safe Project
Age UK Richmond are providing free practical assistance to make sure as many people in the borough are safe and warm at home this winter. The service is available from now until to March 2013. It will:
Complete a checklist of services available, deliver a pack consisting of a hat, gloves, socks and a fleece blanket and help complete grant applications to improve income and to pay for fuel bills.
It can also arrange work from the Energy Efficiency Scheme, to carry out:
- Draught proofing; radiator maintenance, heating emergencies and boiler repair
- Loft clearance and insulation
- Refer to Telecare and Befriending services
The Home Maintenance Service will carry out:
- Security, safety and electrical checks
- Rubbish clearance; one-off cleaning, replacement of broken white goods
- Decorating; rails fitted, overgrown gardens in need of attention
- Window locks/door locks fitted, fitting key safes; door bells
- Snow clearance, emergency food packs
- Replacement telephone equipment
If you could benefit from this project please contact the service on 020 8878 3569, or send an email to [email protected].
You can also register for the Priority Service Register if you are disabled, of pensionable age or have a long-term health condition. This entitles you to various free services (see the factsheet above). It also means that you can’t be disconnected during the winter months, even if you are in arrears. Contact your energy supplier to register for this. A template letter is available below.
Request for Priority Service Register due to vulnerablility letter (515 downloads)This campaign is linking up with lots of other organisations, professionals and charities to make sure older people, disabled people and people with long-term health conditions are healthy, warm and living well this winter. It is part of a national plan – the Cold Weather Plan for England. You can find more information about this plan by following this link: www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_130564
Make sure that you make contact with someone who you feel can help you over the winter – whether it is a friend, family member, a trusted professional or an advice service such as Richmond AID and Age UK Richmond.
See Age UK’s ‘Winter Wrapped Up – a guide to keeping well and staying warm in winter’ booklet for lots more helpful advice: [Download not found]
Also, the Home Heat Helpline’s ‘Little Book of Energy’ has lots of energy-savings tips: Home Heat Helpline Little Book of Energy (456 downloads)
For more explanation or personal advice call:
- Age UK Richmond First Contact Helpline: 0845 600 1090
- Home Heat Helpline: 0800 33 66 99
- NHS Direct: 24 hour helpline for advice if you feel unwell. Call 0845 4647
- Richmond AID: 020 8831 6070
The Home Heat Helpline can put you into contact with schemes offered by electricity and gas suppliers to help with your bills. It can also advise you on grants and schemes available for insulation to keep your bills down in the future.
Other Useful Sources of Information:
Severe weather warnings from the Met Office: www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/beta/weather/warnings
The Met Office’s Get Ready For Winter information: www.metoffice.gov.uk/learning/get-ready-for-winter
Age UK factsheets:
- Factsheet 1, Help with Heating Costs: www.ageuk.org.uk/Documents/EN-GB/Factsheets/FS1_Help_with_heating_costs_fcs.pdf?dtrk=true
- Information Guide 30 save Energy, Pay Less: http://www.ageuk.org.uk/Documents/EN-GB/Information-guides/AgeUKIG30_save_energy_pay_less_inf.pdf?dtrk=true
NHS Stop Smoking Services: Call 0800 022 4332
Winter Weather from Richmond Council: http://www.richmond.gov.uk/winter_weather
Winter road gritting from Richmond Council: www.richmond.gov.uk/home/transport_and_streets/roads_and_road_works/road_and_pathway_maintenance/road_gritting.htm
Winter Information from Consumer Focus: www.consumerfocus.org.uk/get-advice/
