A campaign to ensure that elderly people in Liverpool stay safe and warm this winter gets under way this week.
More than 2,000 elderly residents in the city will be visited in the next few months as part of the Healthy Homes Programme – a joint initiative by the City Council and Liverpool PCT- which is organising the Winter Survival Campaign in conjunction with the Liverpool Energy Efficiency team.
The team will also be visiting pensioners groups in community venues to give advice on how to keep warm and safe during the cold weather.
Information will also be given about energy efficiency and there will be an opportunity for people to enter a free prize draw to win £100 off winter fuel bills. There will also be an opportunity for people to get free winter warmth items.
And advice will be provided about carbon monoxide safety. People who do not qualify for free safety checks from their suppliers will be able to enter a prize draw to win a safety check.
The campaign will be publicly launched at Radio Merseyside on 3 October between 11am to 3pm when healthy homes partners will attend to offer information and advice. They include Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service who will be promoting the Fire Support Networks Emergency Heating Campaign.
Following the launch the Winter Survival Roadshows will hit the road. It includes six public events in libraries that any elderly people living in the areas are welcome to attend.
18 October Breck Road Library, 10am -12noon
29 October Fazakerley Library 10am– 12noon
5 November Spellow Lane Library, 10am – 12noon
12 November Toxteth Library 10am – 12 noon
20 November Old Swan Library 12 noon – 2pm
28 November Dovecot Library 12 noon – 2pm
Radio celebrity Pete Price will be at Breck Road Library on 18 October from 11am to promote the re-launch of his Chair Based Exercise DVD which was produced by Healthy Homes last year to help people stay warm and keep fit during the cold winter months.
There will also be a Winter Survival Fayre at St Georges Hall on 14 November (10am – 2pm )at which advice and information will be provided on issues such as health and well being , keeping warm, energy efficiency and grants, keeping active, fuel poverty and debt, benefits maximisation and much more. Entertainment will also be provided.
Councillor Roz Gladden, Assistant Mayor, said:”This is a very important campaign. Last year we had a comparatively mild winter but that should not lull anybody into thinking they do not need to be prepared for the cold months ahead.
“There will be lots of practical advice on keeping warm and information on how you can afford to pay for heating and I would urge elderly people to make sure they take advantage of this to keep safe and warm this winter. I would also ask that people keep on eye on their neighbours during any cold weather.”
