£100,000 in Money for Vulnerable Reading Residents During the Winter
02/02/2012
Reading Borough Council Press Release
As the cold snap continues this week, vulnerable residents who struggle
to keep warm during cold winter months could get help thanks to Reading
Borough Council's successful £105,000 bid for Government funding which
will help save lives.
Health authorities estimate around 80 people in Reading die needlessly
as a direct result of cold homes during the winter. Very often these are
vulnerable elderly people whose homes either need minor repairs to
protect against the cold or who struggle to pay heating bills. In some
cases the installation of a few small energy efficiency measures in
their homes would make all the difference.
Late last year Reading Borough Council bid for a slice of the
Government's 'Warm Homes Healthy People' fund and was successfully
awarded £105,000 in funding to help vulnerable people in the borough.
Whilst supporting the elderly will be a key target for the funding,
other vulnerable groups whose health may be adversely affected by cold
will also be eligible, including those with disabilities and very young
children.
The Council is now calling on vulnerable residents who struggle to keep
warm or neighbours who know of anyone who may struggle during the winter
months to make contact to discuss their needs. The number to call is
0118 937 3747.
In some cases the funding could be used to provide minor repairs to
homes which will help block draughts and protect them from the cold. It
could be used to introduce some energy efficiencies into a property,
like loft insulation for example, or it could be utilised in some
individual cases to address fuel poverty.
The Council's campaign called 'Winter Watch: Saving Lives by Working
Better With You' - will offer targeted advice to vulnerable people on
how to alleviate fuel poverty, raise awareness of the risks of low
temperatures and high humidity in homes and encourage the take up of
grants available for insulation and heating.
An emergency fund will also be offered to provide immediate help and warmth to especially vulnerable people in extreme need.
Reading Borough Council has already been in contact with Ridgeway, its
housing repairs contractor, about how the money could be most
effectively used, as well as Age UK about how best to encourage
vulnerable members of the Reading community to come forward. The Council
will work closely with a range of partner organisations, including
voluntary and health organisations, to discuss how the money can be most
effectively used..
Bet Tickner, Reading's Lead Councillor for Health and Public Engagement,
said: 'A little help at the right time can make all the difference and I
trust that organisations like Age UK will work with Reading Borough
Council to ensure that we use this extra funding effectively to help
elderly people keep warm at home.'
Reading Borough Council is embarking on a significant public awareness
campaign to encourage vulnerable Reading residents to make contact and
see if they would be eligible to access the fund. This will also include
a local radio advertising campaign and working with partner
organisations to get information out to the public.
Access to the funding is available now, even if in some cases it will be
next winter before some of the real benefits will be realised.

Welcome to my blog. I am using it to keep you updated on my work as a councillor for Battle ward, Chair of the Art and Heritage forum and an activist for Unite the Union. I cover the issues affecting Battle ward and Reading residents. There may also be the occasional random post about things I am interested in.
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