The scheme is following a similar format as previous years consisting of:
- Freephone advice line
- Home visits
- Funding for boiler repairs or replacements
- Provision of electric oil filled radiators
- Grants for winter emergencies
- Home Fire Safety Visits
- Help to switch energy provider
Grants will be given particularly to homes that are:
- The most energy inefficient
- Do not have gas central heating
- In rural areas
- In Winchester district
Central Heating Fund
This is funded by DECC (Dept for Energy and Climate Change) and assists fuel poor households which do not have central heating. The aim is to connect them to mains gas where possible, or LPG if not. This fund can be accessed via the Hitting the Cold Spots Team.
How Can You Help?
It would be great to see an increase in the number of referrals from Village Agents to Hitting the Cold Spots, either for advice, home visits, help with funding or grants.
I have added a section onto the monthly report form to log any referrals or signposting into the service, and if you have any good news stories to share around this I’d love to hear them and share them!
To Contact the Hitting the Cold Spots Team: Tel: 0800 804 8601 Email: staywarm@environmentcentre.com Website: www.hants.gov.uk/cold-spots
Village Agents Ken & Cathy can be contacted on 07851 770 716 and can help older people find information and services.