Our Surviving Winter Appeal was an enormous success, raising over £20,000 to support local people in fuel poverty, or struggling to get through winter. We made grants to four local charities: Warrington Disability Partnership, Age UK Cheshire, Opal Services, and Cheshire Agricultural Chaplaincy.
Warrington Disability Partnership received a grant for multiple services to support older vulnerable people, including restarting their home delivery service for hot meals and small mobility and independent living aids and incontinence products, which proved so valuable for vulnerable people during COVID -19 lockdown. Another service they provide is offering a free winter health check on walking sticks, 3 and 4 wheeled walkers, Zimmer frames, wheelchairs and mobility scooters to keep people safe while travelling around in their daily lives.
Age UK Cheshire received a grant for their Information and Advice service. Their trained and knowledgeable Information and Advice team deliver telephone advice and support to vulnerable older people. They ensure that they have maximised their income through benefit checks; that they have received advice on energy savings; and that they are connected with wider offers of support to help them through the winter months. In appropriate cases, the team will also make direct referrals into other appropriate services on behalf of the vulnerable older people who call in. As one beneficiary said, “You go out of your way to ensure you the correct information and advice – thank you”.
Opal Services received a grant to address the needs of the most vulnerable elderly and their carers, by extending the production of their newsletter and the activity packs for those who have little or no opportunity to leave their homes . The grant also funds a few covid safe small group visits to local places of interest ,something that their members have missed out on completely for the last two years. And the remainder of the grant has been used to buy equipment to ensure venues are ventilated and covid safe without having to open windows and doors, losing the heat the visitors need.
Cheshire Agricultural Chaplaincy received a grant for their Winter Hardship Support work in Cheshire East, providing food, clothes and essential appliances. They help with emergency energy bills, household repairs, and children’s school clothing including shoes and coats. Financial hardship is on the rise in Cheshire’s rural communities and this network of support can provide a lifeline in the winter months.
We are so grateful to everyone who donated to the Surviving Winter Appeal this year. Your support and generosity really has provided some winter warmth to the people of Cheshire.