Winter Warmth Club aims to put end to suffering in the cold

Residents who can't afford to keep their homes warm during the winter are invited to contact Bath & North East Somerset Council's Winter Warmth Club, which offers practical support and advice on how to stay warm and well during the colder weather.

The Winter Warmth Club, which is particularly aimed at vulnerable and older people, offers a number of crucial services including:

• Personal visits from Red Cross staff or volunteers;
• Discounted repairs and improvement to heating and hot water systems;
• Clearance of paths;
• Advice on benefits and grants and referrals to get funding for energy efficency improvements.

Full details about the service are available on the Council website www.bathnes.gov.uk/wwc or by calling the Home Energy Team free on 0800 0822234.

The project is being launched by the council's Housing Services Department and is managed by the Centre for Sustainable Energy (CSE) in partnership with West of England Care and Repair, British Red Cross, Age UK and social housing provider Curo.

Head of Household Energy Services at CSE, Phillip Morris, added, "The really great thing about this project is that because of all the partners involved we can give a whole range of support – from someone simply coming to your home and taking the time to talk through your options to stay warmer, right up to support to get funding for improvements, advice on benefits and even free temporary heating replacement if your heating breaks down. You could even arrange a visit from the Fire Service to advise you on fire hazards and fit free smoke alarms."

The Winter Warmth Project is funded by the Department of Health. It is managed by the Centre for Sustainable energy (CSE) in partnership with West of England Care and Repair, British Red Cross, Age UK and Curo the areas' major social housing provider. Listed benefits are available to households in Bath and North East Somerset.