Care and Repair service receives share of funding
Wakefield Council receives £90k to help keep the district's residents warm and healthy
The Council's Home Energy Team which put together 'Wakefield Cold Homes Action Project' or CHAP are celebrating following a successful project bid in partnership with NHS Wakefield District, Wakefield District Wellbeing Consortium, Chevin Housing Care & Repair, Welfare Rights, Family Services, Disabled Adaptations Team, Wakefield Rent Deposit Scheme, National Energy Action and West Yorkshire Fire Service.
CHAP is intended as a cold home 'outreach referral' project. Frontline workers, particularly voluntary sector workers, will identify 'at risk' private households and refer them for help from a 'cold homes help package'. The following elements make up CHAP and will receive a share of the £90,000 to provide vital support:
Care & Repair - free emergency electrical heaters and 'handyperson' service e.g. fitting draught proofing, security measures and handrails
- Welfare Rights - benefit entitlement check
- Wakefield Energy Savers - free loft and cavity wall insulation
- West Yorkshire Fire Service - home Fire safety advice and free smoke alarms
- Age UK Wakefield District - 'Snowbell Support Network'
Cllr Denise Jeffery, Wakefield Council's cabinet member for Regeneration and Economic Growth said: "This is great news for the district and will help us in our aim to protect vulnerable people across Wakefield. The funding will ensure that households at 'risk' will get the support and help that they need during these tough times."
Dr Andrew Furber, Director of Public Health for Wakefield District said: "The CHAP project is a great example of agencies working together to provide vital support during the harsh winter months. The partners involved include a range of voluntary sector groups who will help identify and co-ordinate the range of help available to those who most need help and their support is vital to the success of this project.
"The funding will be used to support a range of voluntary and community groups as well as Family Services and Rent Deposit Scheme staff to provide the outreach work. The funding will also be used to,provide benefit entitlement checks and 'handyperson' visits, as well as supply emergency electric heaters to vulnerable households, the project will also support the 'Snowbell Support Network'. All project workers will be trained in fuel poverty and energy awareness, helping to provide lasting legacy."
The Warm Homes Healthy People Fund (WHHP) is part of Department of Health's first national Cold Weather Plan for England. Up to £20 million has been made available for projects up until 31 March 2012. Bids were invited from local authorities working with local partners, especially in the voluntary and community sectors.
The aim of the WHHP is to support innovative local proposals that address the consequences of cold housing for vulnerable people, where current support is not getting through or where a quicker or more comprehensive response is needed.
