Wales & West Utilities is rolling out its Healthy Homes Healthy People programme across Wales and south west England to help create homes which are safe, sound, warm and secure.
The programme, which has been trialled and developed over the last three years, has been so successful in North Wales, South Wales and Cornwall it will now be rolled out right across its network - covering Wrexham to Redruth. Warm Wales will run the programme on behalf of Wales & West Utilities.
To date, the Healthy Homes Healthy People programme has helped make sure over 3,300 homes are safe, sound, warm and secure, helping residents save over £2.75m by providing energy saving advice, support on home insulation and heating, while making sure people can access unclaimed benefits and the best energy tariffs and fuel debt assistance.
David Robinson, Wales & West Utilities Director of Business Services, said:
“This programme has delivered huge benefits to people across our pilot areas, and we are delighted that by partnering with Warm Wales we are able to roll this out across our operating area.
“We want to identify more fuel poor and vulnerable households to provide them with a range of services that specifically meet their needs. Working with Warm Wales, we will now help 1000 households per year, working directly with people to identify possible savings, having a positive effect on their bank balances and their health.”
Wales & West Utilities’ Healthy Homes Healthy People has four key priorities:
- Home and personal safety
- Income maximisation
- Affordable warmth
- Health & wellbeing
One person to benefit is Mrs Waters of Port Talbot, who was supported to access the Welsh Government’s Nest scheme. This resulted in a new gas central heating system, a full benefits check to ensure she received everything she was entitled to, as well as support to switch to cheaper utility tariffs.
She said:
"I am really, really pleased. I told my friend, ‘I am so glad I let the lady in when she called. I can't fault Warm Wales. It's been brilliant’. Thank you so much."
Community Interest Company, Warm Wales has been appointed to run the programme after a rigorous tendering process and the Warm Wales community team will now work in local communities to offer householders help, at the point of need.
Jonathan Cosson, Director at Warm Wales, said:
“At Warm Wales, we are excited to be continuing our long working relationship with Wales & West Utilities through the delivery of the Healthy Homes, Healthy People project. Through this partnership, and with the expansion of the programme, we will soon be helping more homes to become healthier and happier. Homes don’t become happier and healthier – people do!
“From energy saving advice to fuel debt assistance, home safety advice and advice on benefit entitlement; our team is here to help. The provision of a range of advice, support and referral options tailored to the needs of the household will allow us to be able to assist more vulnerable households across Wales and the south west of England.”
For more information on Healthy Homes Healthy People please visit: www.warmwales.org.uk/ 01656 747622.
Wales & West Utilities, the gas emergency and pipeline service, brings energy to 7.5m people across the south west of England and Wales. If you smell gas, or suspect the presence of carbon monoxide, call us on 0800 111 999 straight away, and our engineers will be there to help any time of day or night. Before visiting, we'll ask you to let us know if you or anyone in your household, is experiencing Coronavirus symptoms or self-isolating. We'll still come and help you: but our teams will take some additional precautions to keep us all safe.