With fuel prices rising and the COVID-19 pandemic still impacting on people’s lives, the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Community Foundation (HIWCF) has launched the ‘Surviving Winter’ campaign to help tackle fuel poverty for older people struggling to keep warm during the coldest months.
It is extremely challenging for people living within limited financial means to afford rising fuel bills and top-ups for their prepayment meters. Many find themselves in the difficult situation of choosing to either keep warm or buy food. Recent government statistics indicate that 8,500 people died across England and Wales last winter due to cold homes.
As well as raising funds from the general public, the Surviving Winter Campaign asks those in receipt of the Government’s Annual Winter Fuel Payment to donate their payment, if they are in a position to be able to do so, to help those needing help to keep warm across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
In the past 5 years, the HIWCF Surviving Winter Campaign has raised over £38,000 to support local people, and since the campaign began 10 years ago, grants have supported 488 vulnerable people and families across the region.
HIWCF partners with Citizens Advice Hampshire and The Footprint Trust Isle of Wight to award the Surviving Winter grants, which help vulnerable people to stay warm, eat well and remain mobile, including practical assistance with travel to medical appointments and support with shopping for essential medication and groceries.
Last winter, as COVID-19 cases and deaths reached their highest peak, Citizens Advice Hampshire were able to support 56 local families with food, heat, arrears and clothing thanks to donations made to the Surviving Winter Campaign.
Jacqui Scott, HIWCF Chief Executive, has said:
“The Surviving Winter Campaign relies on generous donations from the public, where we also ask residents in our communities to either recycle their Government Winter Fuel Payment if they are able to do so, or make a much-needed donation to support the campaign.
“It is shocking to think that people may die in the UK because they cannot afford to heat their homes and with National Energy Action warning that the average price increases for prepayment customers and for those paying by direct debit using a default tariff is likely to result in higher utility debt, 500,000 extra households in fuel poverty and an increase in preventable deaths this winter it is vital that we support vulnerable local people struggling with fuel poverty this winter”.
Families, individuals and businesses wishing to help can make a donation via virginmoneygiving.com/fund/SurvWinter.
For more information on applying for a Surviving Winter grant, contact The Footprint Trust by email on [email protected].
First and foremost reducing the extortionate council tax that is forced on to all and sundry.