Justin Tomlinson, MP for Swindon North, has visited a family to see first-hand the difference made by the local npower Health Through Warmth scheme.
Father of two, 43-year-old Adam Poynter, has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and osteoarthritis which are both worsened by the cold. The family home only had partial central heating downstairs and so the bedrooms and bathroom remained very cold, aggravating Adam’s health conditions and his son’s asthma.
Adam contacted Domestic & General to enquire how much it would cost to upgrade their current system to full central heating, and was referred by the development officer to npower Health Through Warmth. The scheme helps residents whose health is made worse by cold and damp living conditions, and they don’t have adequate heating and insulation in their homes.
The local co-ordinator arranged for the installation of four radiators upstairs along with loft insulation. Adam was able to part-fund the work and the balance was paid from the unique npower Health Through Warmth Crisis Fund and a contribution from The Rowland Hill Fund.
Justin Tomlinson MP visited the family home to see the improvements made and was joined by Elaine Midwinter, npower Health Through Warmth scheme manager; Frank Weigand, chief finance officer for RWE npower and Simon Harris, residential services team leader at Swindon Borough Council.
Justin Tomlinson MP comments: “It’s great to see the Health Through Warmth scheme in action and the difference it makes to families like the Poynters. Schemes such as this, which aim to support local vulnerable residents, are at the heart of our community and I’d encourage anyone with a damp or cold related illness to get in touch to see if they are eligible for help.”
Adam explains: “We are so pleased with the work that npower Health Through Warmth has carried out for us. I feel so much better now our whole house is warm and my son’s asthma has begun to improve too. The help has been invaluable and we are so grateful to all those involved.”
Swindon is one of 15 areas across England and Wales in which npower’s Health Through Warmth scheme operates. Managed locally by Ridgeway Care & Repair in partnership with Swindon Borough Council and NHS Swindon, more than 650 residents have been referred to the scheme since it began in 2008.
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: “Like Mr Poynter, there are many people in Swindon whose health is made worse by cold and damp living conditions.
“We can offer assistance all year round to vulnerable residents and are appealing to them to get in touch, to find out if they could be eligible for help from the scheme.”
For more information about Health Through Warmth call the local co-ordinator at Ridgeway Care & Repair on 01793 940094 or visit www.healththroughwarmth.com