North Wales project takes to the phone to help those in need

The Coronavirus outbreak may have stopped Community Interest Company, Warm Wales, from carrying out street-level support work, but it hasn’t stopped their North Wales team from offering a remote support service, aimed at helping those struggling to pay the bills or heat their homes.

Called ‘Healthy Homes Healthy People’ the project takes a person-based approach to address need, the aim is to improve health and wellbeing by creating a home which is safe, sound, warm and secure for all. Usually delivered to people in their own homes, the project utilises partnership working to help provide energy efficiency advice and improvements, reductions in utility bills, improved safety in the home, as well as a number of health and wellbeing outcomes.

Partners involved in the scheme include: Flintshire County Council Domestic Energy Efficiency Project Team, Warm Homes Fund, North East Wales Care and Repair, Wales & West Utilities, Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water, Police, Fire, Wardens and other agencies. The partnership approach has certainly played dividend, with over £500,000 in savings and improvements already delivered to residents in North Wales.

With the project workers currently confined to their homes, Jo Seymour, Project Manager North Wales, was determined to keep the support going.

“We are here to help and to provide advice and support to those who need a helping hand. We know that this is a worrying time but my friendly and knowledgeable team will do what they can to help make things a little easier.”

The new telephone based advice service can help those who are:

• Struggling to keep their home warm
• Worried about paying energy bills
• Unable to pay rent or mortgage due to loss of income
• Needing advice on benefit availability

To get in touch with Jo and her team of community workers call 01352 711751 or email joanna.seymour@warmwales.org.uk