Winter warmer packs to be given out to vulnerable

Each pack contains a range of items to help people keep warm this winter such as thermal socks, thermal gloves, hat, scarf, a temperature card, hot water bottle and blanket

Winter warmer packs will be distributed across the UK by the Cadent Foundation and Groundwork to help households tackle the cold.

Working with Groundwork Green Doctors, the winter warmer pack campaign, now in its third year, sees people living in vulnerable situations given extra support to stay warm and well.

The packs will be distributed as an emergency intervention to those most in need via local food banks and community hubs/centres and groups in towns and cities across the UK. 720 packs are being given out in Greater Manchester, with 131 having already distributed by the end of November.

Each pack contains a range of items to help people keep warm this winter such as thermal socks, thermal gloves, hat, scarf, a temperature card, hot water bottle and blanket.

ONS figures suggest an estimated 63,000 excess winter deaths occurred in England and Wales in winter 2020/21, 6.1 times higher than winter 2019 to 2020. National Energy Action estimates that on average more than 10,000 people die each year in the UK due to living in a cold home, a statistic that is likely to increase this year.

The Groundwork Green Doctor programme offers free, impartial advice and practical measures to help individuals take control of their bills, save energy where possible in the home, and access other services and initiatives available.

Graham Duxbury, Groundwork’s UK chief executive, said: “In the midst of the energy crisis, the waiting list for our energy advice services continues to grow at an alarming rate. We are pleased to be able to provide emergency relief through winter warm packs, helping people to cope in the short term, while our Green Doctors continue to offer the advice and practical help needed to find long term solutions to the challenges presented by increasing levels of fuel poverty.”

Julia Dwyer, director of the Cadent Foundation, said: “We’re pleased to be able to fund the much-needed winter warmer packs for the third year. Many households face an uncertain winter this year, with the current cost-of-living crisis, it’s going to be a challenging time for many people as we head into winter, and so we’re working with charity partners to tackle the root causes and impact of fuel poverty across our networks.

“We wanted to reach even more people living in vulnerable situations, so we’re delighted we’ve been able to double the number of packs this year to 5,000 and we couldn’t do this without our partner Groundwork who help to get these packs to those who need them to most. It’s reassuring to know these packs will help make a real difference at such a difficult time.”

The Cadent Foundation is funded by local gas network Cadent and has been established to help households find sustainable solutions to fuel poverty and ensure people are safe and warm in their homes.

For more information on Groundwork’s Green Doctor programme, together with tips and advice on keeping your home warm this winter, visit www.groundwork.org.uk/greendoctor.