A scheme which has helped vulnerable residents keep warm for the past 12 years is celebrating after hitting 75,000 referrals.
Established in 2000, npower’s Health Through Warmth scheme was set up to help home owners across England and Wales suffering from cold-related illnesses by funding insulation and heating measures which they wouldn’t normally be able to afford.
A variety of illnesses can be adversely affected by living in a cold home, including diabetes, arthritis and cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. The scheme works with charities, health and social care workers and community professionals to identify vulnerable residents who suffer from damp and cold-related illnesses and live in an inadequately heated and/or insulated home.
Boiler repairs and boiler replacements are offered as part of the Health Through Warmth scheme, as well as cavity wall insulation, draught proofing and loft insulation.
To be eligible for financial assistance you must be the owner-occupier and have a low household income with no savings or any other means to pay for the work yourself.
Elaine Midwinter, npower Health Through Warmth scheme manager, said:
“The aim of the npower Health Through Warmth scheme is to help vulnerable people whose health is made worse by living in a cold home. We’re delighted to have reached such a major milestone and would like to thank all our partner organisations across England and Wales for helping make the scheme such a success.
“We hope to continue to build our relationships with community organisations to help identify people in need, so even more local residents can benefit from the scheme.”
The Health Through Warmth scheme has joined forces with Foundations, a national body for home improvement agencies and handy person services. Commenting on the partnership, Lauren Sadler, communications and policy manager said:
“We would encourage anyone who has a cold-related illness which they believe is made worse by cold conditions in their home to contact Foundations to see if they are eligible for help. If they do qualify then their local home improvement agency will provide support and apply for funds on their behalf.”
