Charity shortlisted to help people heat their homes & more related News Here

A charity has been shortlisted for an award after helping to keep vulnerable families warm during the winter months.

Gloucestershire charity Severn Y launches its Warm Homes prescription pilot in 2022. Low-income patients with respiratory, coronary or complex health conditions are given grants to help with their energy bills using government funding.

The charity said the project aims to help prevent the need for hospital care.

Anton Hammer, 72, who suffers from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, said he was constantly visiting his GP due to frequent chest infections before the charity helped him.

After being laid off from work following a heart attack two years ago, Hammer said she struggled to heat her home.

He said, “You think I’m not going to be able to do it, so you keep the heating off. You put on more layers, or you try to heat one room in the whole house.”

“It can be very frustrating. It can make you feel very depressed.”

His GP at Brockworth Surgery put him in touch with the Severn Y, who visited him at home and offered help.

“I have to say they have been fantastic,” he said.

Hammer said his chest infections have reduced dramatically, which means GP visits have reduced.

The ‘Warmth on Prescription’ scheme is running alongside the NHS Retrofit project, funded by NHS Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board, which provides up to £20,000 per property to install measures to improve home energy efficiency.

Both projects are finalists in the Health Service Journal Partnership Awards.

Last winter, patients on the scheme reported fewer clinical visits and fewer hospital visits, according to the Severn Y.

Dr Hein Le Roux, deputy chief medical officer of NHS Gloucestershire, said he was “delighted” to see the partnership with the charity “recognised”.

“Patients tell us they feel more confident and supported during the winter, which is exactly the effect we want to achieve,” she said.

Winners of the Health Service Journal Partnership Awards will be announced in March.