A group of charities and community organisations in Bradford is launching an innovative crowd funding campaign to help save lives by keeping vulnerable people warm this winter.
Warm Homes Healthy People hopes to raise at least £25,000 to fund support and advice for people who are in debt with their energy providers and to provide additional heaters, meter tokens, hats gloves and blankets for those who need them.
In Bradford 33 out of every 250 households are in fuel poverty and each year in the city around 200 more people die in winter than they do during the warmer months.
Bradford City Council and the local Clinical Commissioning Groups have funded part of the scheme for the past five years but funding is drawing to a close. Warm Homes Healthy People hopes to be able to carry on its previous advice work and to expand to aid people in crisis this winter with the help of donations from the public.
The Partnership Chair Sarah Possingham said: “We are making a really big difference to vulnerable residents with long term health conditions like cardio vascular disease and pulmonary conditions and people recovering from major operations.
“We know having a warm comfortable home makes a big difference to people’s physical and mental welfare, so we urge people to help and pledge what they can.”
The money raised will provide help across the city including draft proofing, advice on energy efficiency, thermostatic radiators, insulation and even new boilers.
Since 2013 more than 2,700 people have benefitted for help from the Warm Homes Healthy People partnership, which is made up of organisations including Inspired Neighbourhoods CIC, Innchurches, Carers Resource, HALE - Health Action Local Engagement, Citizens Advice Bureau, Community Advice Network, BEAT, Groundwork, Family Action, Bradford Community Fund, Bradford Council and Age UK.
Cold and damp housing conditions can have a direct impact on people’s health and in Britain cold spells are followed by spikes in heart attacks, strokes and respiratory illnesses. Mental health can also be affected by living in cold, damp conditions and can cause some people to become depressed.
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