PEOPLE in East Sussex will be helped to stay warm and well this winter – thanks to the launch of a new funding scheme.—East Sussex County Council, 9 September 2016
An estimated 21,500 – or one in ten – households in the county is living in fuel poverty, where they can’t afford to heat their home to the standard recommended to help maintain good health and wellbeing.
To combat the problem, East Sussex County Council is working with Sussex Community Foundation to launch the council’s East Sussex Stay Well This Winter Fund.
The scheme will see £12,000 made available for projects which raise awareness of services to tackle fuel poverty, offer practical assistance, advice and support or run activities to help people stay warm and well.
Cynthia Lyons, East Sussex acting director of public health, said: “It’s important for people in vulnerable groups to be prepared for cold weather.
“Living in a cold home can exacerbate underlying health issues such as breathing problems, heart conditions or risk of a stroke – and can even be fatal.
“The fund will allow local groups and charities to play a greater role in supporting older and vulnerable people to stay warm at home.”
People can stay safe in cold weather by keeping their home heated to at least 18C (64F), having hot meals and drinks regularly throughout the day, staying active and wearing lots of thin layers.
Kevin Richmond, chief executive of Sussex Community Foundation, said: “We have 10 years’ experience of funding groups tackling issues such as fuel poverty, and worked with the council on our Surviving Winter campaign a few years ago.
“There are many people in the county who struggle to keep warm in the winter and local charities are an invaluable source of help for them.”
The East Sussex Stay Well This Winter Fund forms part of the East Sussex Energy Partnership’s wider programme of action to tackle fuel poverty.
Projects which may benefit include those which raise awareness of services to tackle fuel poverty, such as the county council’s free Winter Home Check service and those which offer practical help such as reprogramming heating and hot water timers.
Money may also be given to projects which provide activities such as social clubs and lunch clubs, and those which offer advice and support for people on low incomes.
The deadline for applications for grants of up to £5,000 is Friday, October 7, and projects awarded funding must deliver the work by the end of March 2017.
More information and details of how to apply are available online at www.sussexgiving.org.uk/staywell
Picture caption- Cynthia Lyons, East Sussex acting director of public health
Percentage of households living in fuel poverty in East Sussex by district:
Hastings: 11.8 per cent
Rother: 9 per cent
Eastbourne: 8.6 per cent
Lewes: 8.2 per cent
Wealden: 8 per cent
East Sussex average: 9 per cent
England average: 10.6 per cent
(Source: Department of Energy and Climate Change 2016)
The East Sussex Winter Home Check service is free and available all year round for older people on a low income, families with children, disabled people or those with an ongoing health condition.
It includes an assessment of the home to identify how to keep warm, small works such as improving insulation or repairing boilers, emergency temporary heating and advice on getting help to pay for heating. More information is available at www.eastsussex.gov.uk/keepwarm
The East Sussex Energy Partnership provides a forum where partners can work together to ensure a consistent and co-ordinated approach to delivering interventions to tackle health and wellbeing issues related to cold homes, particularly for vulnerable groups, and other related issues.
Membership includes local councils in East Sussex, the local NHS, community energy organisations, voluntary and community sector representatives and the charity National Energy Action.
