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People in Surrey struggling to pay heating bills or living in cold homes will benefit from £264,000 after a successful bid by a new group of public and voluntary organisations.
Nearly 30 organisations and voluntary groups joined the county council in the bid for cash to keep people warm and healthy during the winter.
One of the Surrey Healthy Homes partnership* schemes will see vulnerable people given taxi vouchers to get to GP appointments. Another will see Action Surrey insulate lofts and walls free of charge.
Emergency boiler repairs will be carried out in the Spelthorne and Runnymede areas and a meals on wheels service will be launched in Mole Valley and Reigate and Banstead.
There will also be information leaflets packed with tips, help and advice to keep warm and safe during the cold months.
The schemes will be managed by Action Surrey (external website), an organisation that offers free advice to businesses, schools and residents about cutting energy and water use.
Surrey County Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health Michael Gosling said: “It’s excellent news that by joining forces as one team we have been successful in winning this money.
“It is a great opportunity for the county council to work with voluntary and community organisations to ensure that support gets right to the heart of communities.”
Ben Wood, Project Manager of Action Surrey, said: “Action Surrey is delighted to be involved in the co-ordination of this award and to ensure that the most vulnerable in the county are assisted during the winter months.”
The money was awarded by the Department of Health.
Spelthorne and Runnymede received £64,000 and it will be spent on Emergency Heat Kits for the most vulnerable residents, these will be a combination of heaters, blankets amongst other elements. Liz Borthwick would like to thank the team of Francesca Nesbitt, Lucy McSherry , Tracey Wilmott-French and Sue Metcalf from Age UK Runnymede and Spelthorne who worked together to secure Runnymede and Spelthorne's part of the bid.”
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