Keeping warm in the winter can seem like an easy task, but to some it can be impossible and help was on hand at an event in Liverpool.
The Healthy Homes team at Liverpool City Council organised the display at the City Centre Holiday Inn for those who struggle to pay bills, or need assistance.
The scheme saw 46 stall holders arrive to help the people attending with free advice and guidance, including brands such as USwitch and Age Concern.
Liam Little, part of the Healthy Homes team at Liverpool City Council, told JMU Journalism: “The reason for today is that it coincides with national fuel poverty day. This event is a free help and guidance seminar, it has been running now for the last eight to ten years, and it has grown every year.”
More than free advice was on offer as teams go into the homes to help those who are struggling to ensure that they are safe this winter.
Mr Little told JMU Journalism: “At the moment gas is the most economical way to heat your home, it’s therefore providing people with thermal comfort, but reduces their bills.
“We are helping with replacement boilers, first time gas central heating systems, loft and cavity wall insulation and replacement radiators. Smaller issues can be helped too, with replacement LED light bulbs and radiator reflectors.”
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The Healthy Homes event was open to anyone, as the main aim is ensuring that the city of Liverpool is well educated on powering homes this winter.
Mr Little explained: “We help everybody. We meet people with health issues and we want to help those whose illnesses are exacerbated by living in a cold home. We see bronchitis, asthma, arthritis and more and this creates a completely new criterion of people we would like to help.
“We do not leave anyone out, but our most vulnerable clients are those who are 65 plus or those who have children under five. They are instant qualifiers for us, but the more people that know about the Healthy Homes team and the education that is out there the better for us and for them too.”
As well as advice on how to run your home, the Healthy Homes team focuses on the older generation and ensures that they still feel part of a community.
Mr Little told JMU Journalism: “We are making them aware of clubs and community groups that are available. It is massively about the social inclusion side. People will start to feel isolated so we want them to talk to each other.”