Appeal to help older and vulnerable people in Wiltshire this winter
Wiltshire Community Foundation predicts more people than ever will struggle to afford to heat their homes this winter
An appeal to help older and vulnerable people in Wiltshire afford to heat their homes this winter has been launched.
Wiltshire Community Foundation's annual 'Surviving Winter' has begun, as the charity predicts more people than ever will be struggling with their bills.
Now in its 13th running year, the fundraiser is a "response to the average 300 cold-related deaths each winter in the county".
The appeal is done in partnership with various local charities, including Wiltshire Warm and Safe, Swindon and Wiltshire Citizens Advice and Age UK Wiltshire, which distribute £200 grants to help with fuel bills as well as provide energy-saving or benefits advice to older and vulnerable people in fuel poverty.
Last year, funds raised helped 3,039 people from 1,892 households across the county.
This year, a fifth partner, the Wiltshire Centre for Independent Living, has joined the programme.
Shareen Elnagy, a project manager for the Centre For Sustainable Energy’s Wiltshire Warm and Safe programme, is warning that although energy bills have fallen slightly, they are still significantly higher than two years ago and the government’s Energy Bills Support Scheme, which gave households £400 off their bills, ended in March.
She and her energy advice teams fear a rise in the number of people falling into arrears because of high standing charges will see more coming to them for help.
“You're not getting rewarded for using less energy, it's like being penalised for having gas and electricity to the property. We have people on pre-payment meters call us and say ‘I put a tenner on but I've only got £3 on the meter’ and it's because such a huge chunk goes towards standing charge debt.
“I think without the help of the government and with the standing charge debt and the cost of living, everything is so expensive now, it's scary. We'll have even more people asking for financial help.”
Wiltshire Community Foundation’s Joint Chief Executive Fiona Oliver said harrowing stories of older and vulnerable people heating just one room for a few hours a day or skipping meals to save money for their bills have become commonplace since the appeal was first launched in 2010.
“Every year we hear heartbreaking tales that just shouldn’t be happening in a civilised country in 2023.
"The fuel grants help provide people with peace of mind that they can have the heating on, which we are told by experts in geriatric health is essential for older and vulnerable people.
“Also the extra support and advice our partners supply can increase a households’ income through benefits they are entitled to but either didn’t know about or couldn’t understand how to apply for.
“We have always been so thankful for the amazing generosity of our donors and if anyone feels they are in a position to pass on some of their Winter Fuel Allowance – or just wish to donate, we will redirect it to where it is needed most.”
More information about the appeal, including how to donate, can be found on the Wiltshire Community Foundation's website.