Summer might have been a long time coming for most of us, but one Birmingham couple hasn’t been affected by the cold thanks to help from a local warmth scheme.
The Morgans
Seventy-five-year old Alfred Morgan has diabetes, which can be worsened by the cold, and his wife Pearlena also has a number of health conditions including severe arthritis. Last winter, the couple were left without heating or hot water when their 30-year-old boiler repeatedly broke down. With just one gas fire in the home, the couple were forced to stay in their living room to keep warm.
A Black Country Housing Group caseworker visited the Morgans and, seeing the severity of their situation, immediately referred them to the npower Health Through Warmth scheme. The scheme co-ordinator arranged for a new central heating system to be installed and accessed funding to help pay for the work, as well as helping Mrs Morgan to claim a benefit she was entitled to. The Morgans were able to part-fund the new heating system and the balance was paid from the unique npower Health Through Warmth Crisis Fund and a contribution from the NHS Pensioners’ Trust.
Alfred Morgan comments: “We are so pleased with the work that npower Health Through Warmth carried out for us. It’s reassuring to know that we have a reliable boiler that will keep us warm for many more years ahead. We’re so grateful we can now use our whole house rather than being confined to just the living room.”
Birmingham is one of 15 areas across England and Wales in which npower’s Health Through Warmth scheme operates. Managed locally by the Black Country Housing Group in partnership with Birmingham City Council, the scheme aims to help residents whose health is made worse by cold and damp living conditions, and they don’t have adequate heating and insulation in their homes.
Each Health Through Warmth referral is assessed on an individual basis and funding can be accessed from a variety of sources, including the unique npower Health Through Warmth Crisis Fund, government grants and charitable funds.
Elaine Midwinter, npower Health Through Warmth scheme manager, adds: “Mr and Mrs Morgan were left in a difficult situation when, just as the cold winter weather came, their boiler broke down. They were not in a position to pay for a new system and were unsure of where to turn for help, but fortunately a local caseworker who knew about Health Through Warmth referred the couple to the scheme.
“Mr and Mrs Morgan are a good example of how Health Through Warmth works in partnership with organisations such as the NHS Pensioners’ Trust, who contributed towards the cost of the work, to improve the comfort and quality of life of vulnerable residents in Birmingham.
“Like the Morgans, there are many homeowners in Birmingham whose health is made worse by cold and damp living conditions. We can offer assistance all year round, and are appealing to vulnerable residents to get in touch, to find out if they could be eligible for help from the scheme.”
npower Health Through Warmth was set up in 2000, in partnership with National Energy Action (NEA), the national fuel poverty charity, and the NHS and operates in 15 areas of England and Wales. During this time more than 67,000 people have been referred to the scheme, which has levered over £53 million to secure heating and insulation measures for vulnerable residents with cold and damp related illnesses. In addition, more than £5.5 million has been accessed from the unique npower Health Through Warmth Crisis Fund and over £902,000 from charitable organisations.
For more information about Health Through Warmth Black Country Housing Group on 0121 561 3845 or visit healththroughwarmth.com
