Rights to Warmth
Attend and Helped the Aged have teamed up to launch an innovative nationwide programme to help vulnerable people on low incomes to afford and use adequate energy for heating and cooking. Right to Warmth will work on a local level, uniting groups of volunteers, authorities and other local partners, in an effort to encourage vulnerable households to get independent advice and assistance.
David Wood, Chief Executive of Attend, emphasizes that they key to the initiative’s success will be to convince the public, particularly the elderly, that heating is essential to maintaining their health, independence and quality for life. “The recent escalation of fuel prices means that more people are now at risk. A failure to use enough heating can lead to progressive health failure for vulnerable people-particularly the elderly and small children”
In recent years, Help the Aged campaigns have been successful in raising public awareness of the issue and bringing about the introduction of winter fuel allowances for pensioners. However, many people are reluctant to seek the help they need, fearful of losing their independence by accepting benefits or financial assistance. Arthur Probert, Joint Programme Director, explains, “Our aim is to increase the number of households where any combination of assistance, advice on selecting an appropriate tariff, financial assistance through benefit entitlement, or grants for energy efficiency improvements at home, will reduce the danger that the old and vulnerable suffer through inadequate heating.”
For more information on how your member group can get involved visit www.rightstowarmth.org.uk