More than a million pounds will be dispersed across Wiltshire this winter to help ensure people are kept safe, well and warm.
The Government’s £170 million national COVID Winter Grant Scheme was made available this month to support people with the cost of food, energy, water bills and other essentials.
Wiltshire Council was awarded £1,107,932.98 and will be supporting charities such as the Wiltshire Community Foundation.
Cllr Philip Whitehead, Leader of Wiltshire Council, said: “Winter can be a tough time for some people, even more so after the events of this year, so we welcome this extra support.
“We’re pleased to be working with local organisations to get this money out to those who need it most, and we hope it gives those eligible a little bit of comfort and peace of mind and eases the pressure some of them may be feeling.”
The money will be used as:
• Support for older and vulnerable people with underlying health conditions – delivered in partnership with Wiltshire Community Foundation through the Centre for Sustainable Energy’s Warm and Safe Wiltshire service and Age UK Wiltshire
• Support for rough sleepers with money for food, and energy set-up costs at new accommodation – distributed by Wiltshire Council’s housing team. The council is working with central government to ensure that all rough sleepers in Wiltshire have the option of some form of accommodation this winter. This additional money will assist with helping to keep them warm and fed during the winter months
• Supporting Wiltshire Council tenants who are single or childless couples who have been identified as vulnerable and in financial hardship, to assist with fuel and food costs – distributed by Wiltshire Council’s housing team
• Supporting individual care leavers with a support payment – distributed by Wiltshire Council’s social care team
• Providing fuel poverty support for the traveller and boater communities with households identified for support by Julian House and distributed by Centre for Sustainable Energy (CSE). Warm & Safe Wiltshire is a service provided by Wiltshire Council and Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, in partnership with CSE, to deliver a comprehensive energy advice service for Wiltshire residents
Paul Winney, Warm and Safe Wiltshire project manager at CSE, added: “The funding received from Wiltshire Council to be able to help residents this winter has been fantastic. I’m very pleased to be working in partnership with Julian House to support the Boater and Traveller community in Wiltshire. The Warm and Safe Wiltshire advice service aims to help those most affected by cold, damp homes and prevent those faced with a difficult choice of going hungry or keeping warm.”
Fiona Oliver, joint chief executive of the Wiltshire Community Foundation, said: “We are delighted to be working with Wiltshire Council to support elderly and vulnerable people living in fuel poverty through our Surviving Winter programme. We will be using our excellent partnerships within the voluntary sector and knowledge of the county’s hardest hit areas to ensure funding goes where it is needed most.”
The Wiltshire Wellbeing Hub is also available to offer advice on 0300 003 4576 or email wellbeinghub@wiltshire.gov.uk for those who don’t have a support network around them.
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