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How to stay warm for less
The Winter Warmth Project is led by Peterborough Environment City Trust in partnership with Peterborough City Council, the Salvation Army and Age UK.
The aim of the project is to help older people or those with limited mobility access to keep warm and prevent the 86 deaths which occur in the city each winter due to the cold.
With a cold snap behind us but more due next week, the Winter Warmth project has hit the road to help older shoppers save money and keep warm.
Having already held a number of successful events in local shopping centres over the last few days, the team are spreading the net wider, visiting residents in the comfort of their own home.
I went along to visit Mrs Sylvia Shugar (75) at her home in Stanground with Winter Warmth Officer, Jon Alcock.
This 10-week project is similar to the national Warm Front Scheme, except that this is based locally, making it easier to apply for and less daunting for residents.
The appointment was made for Sylvia by her daughter, who had seen a previous piece about the scheme in The ET.
Sylvia’s three-bed house has gas central heating as well as a coal fire in the living room. Her boiler has recently had a full inspection (something she pays for her herself).
Sylvia said: “Paying to heat my home during the winter is a worry. I do prefer coal because I know that whatever I use, I have paid for, and I don’t have to wait for a bill. I’ll never let myself go without heat but I do have to be very careful with what I use.”
The process was easy, with Jon taking Sylvia through a short questionnaire, asking about simple measures, such as using energy saving lightbulbs, loft insulation and shutting her thick curtains at night, as well as more complex issues such as tariffs and billing.
I would consider myself fairly competent when it comes to utility bills, but I had to agree that all the different companies, tariffs, and offers for gas and electricity can be confusing at the best of times.
Jon explained that the project is three weeks into a ten-week run, so they want to get out and see as many people as they can.
He said: “Home visits make it less daunting and they can have someone with them if they wish. We are all CRB checked and only visit by appointment.
“We only pass on details to external agencies such as Age UK and the Salvation Army with permission, and Age UK have a password system, so the caller knows it’s a genuine phonecall.
“I would encourage anyone who wants to find out more to get in touch. It’s a free service and you might be missing out on something that you’re entitled to.”
Not only can officers give advice in the home, they can also compare what residents are currently paying for their heating bills using an impartial website called greenenergyswitch.com. If they can see any savings, they contact the residents who can then decide whether to switch companies or stay as they are.
A free shopping service is also available to older shoppers, so that they don’t have to go out when there is snow and ice on the pavement.
After a thorough chat with Jon, Sylvia said that she had benefited from the advice.
She said: “I have found it really interesting, because there is no way that I could have found out about the information myself, I didn’t even know it existed.
“Energy bills are such a worry for me because I like to live within my means. Changing things can be a hassle and very frustrating, but I have enjoyed Jon’s company today and knowing that there are things I can change has made it worthwhile.”
All services are free and can be accessed by calling the Winter Warmth helpline on 01733 882 544, Monday to Friday 9am from 5pm.
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Weather for Peterborough
Wednesday 23 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 11 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 11 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: North east
