People living in cold homes or struggling with heating bills in the Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge area will be able to get free help and support at a special event this month.
Taking place in Burnham-On-Sea on Friday 30th March, the events will provide advice and practical help as part of a nationwide project called ‘Warm Homes Keep You Well’.
Residents will be able to get advice on applying for benefits they are entitled to and grants to make their homes warmer and cheaper to heat. There will also be information about free home energy checks and draught-proofing.
The event will be open from 10am until 1pm and will take place on Friday 30th March at Burnham-On-Sea Community Centre in Berrow Road.
Christine Lawrence, Somerset County Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities, told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “Having a warm and dry home is vitally important, especially for older people, families with young children and people with disabilities. Somerset County Council’s successful bid for a £190,000 grant from the Government’s Warm Homes, Healthy Lives fund was made in partnership with the five district councils, the NHS and more than a dozen voluntary and community organisations.”
The grant from the Warm Homes, Healthy Lives fund will fund the community events, training for front-line workers and volunteers, and cover the supply and fitting of 200 free ‘Warm Home kits’ – which include draft excluders, tank jackets and pipe lagging for those in greatest need.
The organisations involved in the project are: Somerset County Council, NHS Somerset Public Health, Mendip District Council, Sedgemoor District Council, South Somerset District Council, West Somerset District Council, Taunton Deane Borough Council, Community Council for Somerset, Somerset Community Foundation, Ridgeway Care and Repair, Red Cross, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue, Age UK Somerset, Carers UK, Citizens Advice Bureau, Centre for Sustainable Energy, Exmoor National Park, and the Somerset Local Authorities Civil Contingencies Partnership.
The Community Council for Somerset has arranged 20 events across Somerset for local residents. Further free advice is also available on Somerset County Council’s website here or by calling 0845 345 9133.
