THE COVENTRY-based Cadent Foundation and Groundwork have joined forces to offer free packs to ensure the elderly and vulnerable stay warm and well during the winter months.
The foundation donated £40,000 so 2,700 winter warmer packs could be created for those most in need.
They will be distributed via local foodbanks and community hubs in towns and cities across the UK, including Coventry and Birmingham.
Each pack contains a range of items, such as socks, gloves, a hat, scarf, hot water bottle, blanket, thermal flask mug and energy saving lightbulbs.
Latest ONS figures revealed last year there were more than 28,300 winter deaths in England and Wales – a 19.6 per cent increase on the previous year. Respiratory diseases accounted for almost 40 per cent of the deaths and according to fuel poverty charity National
Energy Action, 8,500 were due to cold homes.
Groundwork’s Green Doctors programme provides energy saving advice to help people to keep warm and well, whilst saving cash by reducing energy bills.
Graham Duxbury, Groundwork’s National Chief Executive, said: “Around 4million people in the UK are in fuel poverty, unable to afford to live in a warm, dry home.
“During the cold winter months, people are expected to use 30 per cent more energy on average than they normally would.
“With more people at home, increased utility costs and unemployment rising due to the financial impact of the pandemic, more families will be experiencing extreme financial hardship as well as the emotional strain of keeping themselves and their loved ones well.”
He added fuel poverty also impacted on people’s ability to cope with disease and cold homes increased the risk of heart attacks, respiratory illness, pneumonia and affected mental health.
Julia Dwyer, The Cadent Foundation’s director, added they were delighted to be involved.
“Many vulnerable households are facing even bleaker challenges as we head into winter and it’s reassuring to know these packs will help make a real difference at such a difficult time of year.
“This grant is just the first stage in a wider partnership between the Cadent Foundation and Groundwork, which will see the charity’s
Green Doctor programme rolled out in numerous locations across the UK in 2021.”
Visit cadentfoundation.com for more on the foundation and groundwork.org.uk for more on Groundwork’s Green Doctors programme, along with tips and advice on keeping homes warm this winter.
Are you on Facebook?
Like or Follow the Coventry Observer Facebook page here to get daily updates to your newsfeed.
