St Helens Council and local partners undertake an annual Winter Warmer campaign to inform residents on the best ways to stay warm and well over winter, whilst saving money and becoming more energy efficient.
This year’s well-attended exhibition in the town hall welcomed representatives from several key organisations, including St Helens Council’s Home Improvement Agency, Age UK Mid Mersey, St Helens Healthy Living Team, St Helens Senior Voice Forum and Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, among others.
Hundreds of free winter warmer packs were handed out to event-goers each containing a hat, gloves, torch, thermal mug, soup and calendar with essential information and more. The packs are available to St Helens’ more vulnerable residents and form part of a St.Helens Council Public Health Funded scheme.
The St Helens ‘Winter Warmer’ project focuses on reaching vulnerable households and identifying those at risk of fuel poverty to target assistance to reduce the health impacts of cold homes. The housing and health partnership has been in place since November 2013 and is committed to improving local health outcomes related to housing.
The Public Health funding also supports Affordable Warmth Outreach Officers who provide face to face advice on ways to improve energy efficiency and reduce fuel bills and to offer a number of further interventions such as financial support from heating and insulation schemes on offer, handyperson service, falls prevention, equipment such as cold alarms and carbon monoxide detectors and more.
Referrals to the Affordable Warmth Service are received from a broad range of local partners including local health partners. The main health referral partner is IASH (Integrated Access St Helens) a single access point for all social care referrals for those 18+, the remit of IASH operated by St Helens Council, includes working with those requiring signposting, advice and information through to those with very complex needs. As an onward referral point for health partners IASH is able to identify and target those individuals who are at risk of, or living in fuel poverty, with long term conditions that may be affected by cold and damp and ensure the appropriate referrals are made.
Posted 10:18 AM | Permalink
