Residents whose homes are poorly insulated and heated can now apply for a grant through Care and Repair Caerphilly.
The agency is working with npower’s Health Through Warmth scheme to help people apply for funding to help those who cannot afford to pay for the work fully.
Mary Brice, 80, is one local resident who was helped by the scheme when her boiler broke down.
Mary has arthritis and pulmonary fibrosis which can be severely affected by the cold. Her central heating system was more than 30 years old and was constantly breaking down, leaving her without heating and hot water for prolonged periods of time.
Unsure where to turn to for help, Mary got in touch with her local Care Repair agency where a caseworker arranged for the installation of a new boiler.
Mary’s boiler was funded by npower Health Through Warmth Crisis Fund, and a number of contributions from charities, including the Electrical & Electronics Industries Benevolent Association, Friends of the Elderly, Home Warmth for the Aged, Aid for the Aged in Distress, and The Eaton Fund For Nurses, Artists and Gentlewomen.
She explained: “I’m so pleased to have a warm home again and to be without the worry of another breakdown. I’m grateful for the assistance from Care and Repair and to both npower Health Through Warmth and the charities that helped to fund the work.”
Pat Jones from Care and Repair Caerphilly, said: “The main role of the Care and Repair agency is to support older people in the area to ensure they have homes that are safe, secure and appropriate to their needs.
“As part of this role we often come into contact with residents whose health is made worse by cold living conditions, so we’re really pleased to be working with npower Health Through Warmth so we can access the funding they provide to help towards the cost of heating and insulation measures for our clients.”
Elaine Midwinter, npower Health Through Warmth scheme manager, said: “It makes sense for us to work together with Care and Repair agencies as many older people have cold related illnesses and are at risk if they don’t have adequate heating measures or their system breaks down and they can’t afford to fully fund the work. People’s comfort and quality of life can be greatly enhanced by a warm home environment.
“We’re looking forward to continuing to work with all Care and Repair agencies in Wales not just during the winter but over the coming months too, as summer is the ideal time to install heating and insulation measures before the cold weather returns.”
To contact Care and Repair Caerphilly simply call 01495 235393.