Gloucestershire residents are set to benefit from £182,000 of government funding to make local homes warmer, thanks to a successful funding bid led by the county’s Affordable Warmth Partnership.

The funding is part of the Government’s Warm Home, Healthy People programme which aims to support local authorities and their partners in reducing health issues related to cold housing.

The additional funding will be used to increase uptake of the partnerships’ existing free Fuel Poverty Advice line, specifically among those most at risk from cold housing, such as the over 60s and low income households. The funding will also help to increase awareness of local sources of support with fuel poverty and access to grants for energy efficiency measures, like home insulation.

Front line staff from a range of partner organisations, including social housing providers and the community & voluntary sector, will receive training and resources to enable them to provide advice to local residents, carry out home assessments and where relevant, cover emergency heating costs.

The Gloucestershire Affordable Warmth partnership was set up in 2001, and includes representatives from the county and district councils, NHS Gloucestershire, Severn Wye Energy Agency, Age UK Gloucestershire, Care and Repair and the Gloucestershire Rural Communities Council. The partnership also covers South Gloucestershire.

Councillor Andrew Gravells, Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing said:

“This additional funding to tackle the issue of cold housing is great news for the county. It means we can increase the advice and support available to people who are struggling with heating their homes; and make it easier for them to get the help they need.”

For free and impartial information about existing sources of local support with heating your home and advice on energy saving grants and offers, contact the Gloucestershire fuel poverty advice line on 0800 500 3076, or visit www.warmandwell.co.uk.