The County Durham Community Foundation Winter WarmthnFund is now in its eighth year of helping vulnerable people in County Durhamn& Darlington during the winter.
The campaign originallynbegan as a vehicle for generous pensioners to ‘recycle’ their Winter Fuelnpayments, but it has now developed into a giving portal for anyone who wants tonhelp support vulnerable people live well during the winter.
Research emerges everynmonth that shows the impact fuel poverty is having on the lives and wellbeingnof people and their communities. It is expected that nearly a third of the UKnare concerned that they will have to go without gas or electricity at somenpoint this winter. Others will go without hot food so that they can save money innorder to heat their homes. Last year there were an additional 335 excess deathsnduring winter in County Durham alone – and a third of these related directly tonthe cold and to fuel poverty.
So far this year, thenCommunity Foundation has awarded over £15,000 to groups and individuals innneed, with thanks to Four Seasons Health Care who kindly donated £2,500 tonsupport this year’s Winter Warmth campaign.
Four Seasons Health Care hasna long-standing fund with the Community Foundation to support activities andnoutings for elderly people near Four Seasons Care Homes in County Durham andnDarlington.
Marjorie Condacos fromnFour Seasons Health Care said:
“With over 20 Four Seasonsncare homes located in the wider Durham and Darlington area, this is a regionnclose to our hearts and we are pleased to have been able to make a positivendifference to the lives of elderly people during what at times has been a veryncold winter.
“The County DurhamnCommunity Foundation works very hard to bring partners together to supportnvulnerable elderly people in their local community and we are proud to add ournfunding to their efforts.”
A grant from the CommunitynFoundation helped Age UK County Durham, who work to promote the wellbeing ofnall people aged over 50, to deliver their Keep Warm Keep Well campaign. Fuel povertynand poor access to informationnand support can lead to social isolation, loneliness, poverty and poor health,nand their aim is to ensure older people are fully prepared, not only fornthe winter months, but all year round.
The funding enabled Age UKnto distribute information packs across the region. Packs included a roomnthermometer, information on boiler replacement schemes and advice on how to staynsafe from rogue traders and nuisance callers who can prey on vulnerable oldernpeople during winter months.
Using community outreachnapproaches, staff were also able to distribute blankets and food parcels innresponse to referrals and identified need. They also arranged social activitiesnto bring older people together for friendship and gentle exercise in communitynvenues to reduce social isolation.
Christine from Age UKnCounty Durham said:
“Each year we work hard tonreach more older people who are vulnerable to cold weather and socialnisolation. Thanks to the grant from the Community Foundation, this year we havenbeen able to reach over 2,500 older people in need, more than ever before. Wenhave been able to organise large ‘Keep Warm, Keep Well’ roadshows with othernagencies in communities and set up new, ongoing activities for older people. Wenboosted our grant from the Community Foundation with over £2,000 in other foodnand non-food donations to support our work. Thank you to all who contribute tonthis fund to help us make a difference.”
If you are interested inngiving to the Winter Warmth fund, to help make this and next winter a time fornall to be safe and warm, please visit https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/winterwarmthne.
