There are around 2 million
people in the UK with sight problems and the
RNIB (Royal National Institute of the Blind) is the leading charity
offering support and information to anyone with a sight problem.
Provides information and support
to people suffering from Macular Degeneration.
HENSHAWS
SOCIETY FOR BLIND PEOPLE is
one of the leading charities supplying care and support to people throughout
Northern England and North Wales.They
cater for all age ranges.
This fact sheet contains
information about where to go and who to contact for advice and support for
those who struggle to keep their home at a healthy temperature within the Wigan
Borough.
It has been produced
as a result of the Keeping Warm and Well in Wigan event held at Leigh Miners
Institute on 6 November 2008, which was a collaboration between The Health and
Social Care Project (Wigan & Leigh Council for Voluntary Service), Wigan Council
and the organisations detailed below.
What is Fuel Poverty?
Fuel poverty is defined
as a household's ability to pay for adequate fuel with less than 10% of its
disposable income. 1 in 5 people in UK are now estimated to be living in fuel
poverty. Through the UK Fuel Poverty Strategy the Government aims to see that
no household in the UK should live in fuel poverty by 2018.
The main contributors
to fuel poverty are: ·
Low household income
·
Poor housing conditions
·
High cost of fuel ·
Poor home energy efficiency
·
Under-occupancy of a
house
Less than 10% of people
seek professional advice about debt. The main message is that there is help
for people worried about how to cope with rising costs, such as discounts on
fuel, low interest rate loans (find out about your local Credit Union).
Useful resource:
Fuel Rights Handbook, Published by Child Poverty Action Group. ISBN number:
978-1-906076-05-4
Energy Saving Trust
The Energy Saving Trust
provides free, impartial and expert information and advice on all aspects of
saving energy.
have details of grants
and schemes promoting energy saving and greener living. The Energy Saving Trust
work with communities through:
· Presentations and
information stands
· Community Action for
Energy for community groups who want to get a grant for energy saving measures
· Low Carbon Communities
project - supporting communities who want to deliver local ideas for carbon
savings (e.g. solar panels, wind turbines)
Free phone 0800 512012
AWARM (Affordable Warmth
Access Referral Mechanism) is a scheme developed to assist vulnerable households
in accessing help and advice to keep warm and well. It is used by a variety
of professionals who have contact with vulnerable people and training is available
for those interested in helping people to access the AWARM scheme.
For further information
or to arrange training contact
Sharon Bond Energy Efficiency
Officer (Wigan AWARM) 0161 234 1642
s.bond@manchester.gov.uk
Wigan & Leigh
Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB)
CAB helps people resolve their legal,
money and other problems by providing free, independent, confidential and impartial
advice. This can be done in one of their offices, by telephone, in community
venues or home visit. They
cover:· Debt·
Housing · Employment·
Consumer · Legal ·
Taxes They have offices at:
Telephone advice line
0844 826 9713 (from 20 November) 10am to 4pm - Monday to Friday (do have all
relevant information to hand.
There is also an out
of hours pre-recorded basic advice line) Ring 01942 241113 for an appointment
for:
Outreach general advice
service at Ashton-in-Makerfield (Tuesday)
Ring 01942 267963 for
an appointment for:
Outreach general advice
service at Atherton (Thursday) Home visits for housebound or their carers who
cannot attend the bureaux Community Support Project advice and information service
for people with mental health needs their families and carers. Available in
accessible locations throughout the Borough
Pensioners Link
Pensioners Link works
with and for the benefit of people 50+ throughout Wigan Borough. As well as
being a telephone/drop in centre for information and advice, Pensioners Link
offers:
· A carers' helpline
for advice, support and information for carers of all ages who are caring for
a relative, friend or neighbour
· A range of social
and educational activities from arts and crafts to computer classes
· Weekly NHS Health
Trainers' advice
· Person-centred counselling
· Low-level practical
support for people who have had a change in their lives (e.g. discharged from
hospital)
· Weekly independent
benefits advice sessions
· Visits to people in
their own homes to offer information and assistance in accessing services and
activities within the local community
· Linkline - a monthly
newsletter. This is delivered to homes in the Borough or can be downloaded online
Carers Helpline
9.30am to 8.00pm - Monday to Friday (outside of these hours leave a message
and you will be contacted on the next working day). 01942 606086
info@carershelpline.co.uk
Age Concern Wigan
Borough
Age Concern Wigan Borough's
Starting Point is a prevention service accessible via a telephone help line
(or fax) to anyone aged 50+. It offers a wide
range of information and advice about local services that help people to live
independently. Home visits can be carried out for further one-to-one discussion
by their liaison service if preferred. Starting Point can also link you with
all the Age Concern services available. Work includes:
· Benefits information
and advice - help with claiming benefits including form filling
· Handyperson scheme
- small DIY and repair jobs in the home (free quotes available)
· Approved Providers
list of reputable qualified trades people
· Befriending
· Help with personal
care needs
· Free home fire safety
risk assessments
Starting Point 10.00am
to 4.00pm - Monday to Friday 01942 826079 01942 825594 Fax: 01942 494128
