`Stay Safe And Stay Warm', Royal Greenwich Advises Residents

by our RBG Correspondent | Woolwich

The Royal Borough of Greenwich has issued `Stay Safe And Stay Warm' reminder to residents to help them prepare for the cold weather.

With the weather predicted to take a colder turn in the next few days, the Royal Borough of Greenwich is providing extra services and support for residents who may be at risk during the cold weather period.

Residents who are over 60, caring for a young or vulnerable person or having problems paying their winter fuel bills may be able to benefit from support through the Council’s Stay Warm Stay Safe campaign. People with mental health problems, learning disabilities, physical or sensory impairments are also encouraged to contact the service on the Freephone hotline.

Residents are also encouraged to get in touch with Stay Warm Stay Safe if they have concerns about a friend or neighbour.

Councillor Denise Scott-McDonald (top right), Cabinet Member for Community Wellbeing and Public Health said: “The winter months can be a challenging time for older people and other vulnerable residents, and that is why the Royal Borough is providing a range of advice and support services to help people most at risk. Our support includes a benefits check to help residents find out whether they are entitled to financial help, as well as energy efficiency assessments to help residents keep their fuel bills down."

“I would encourage anyone who is concerned that they won’t be able to keep warm this winter to contact the service for support. I would also encourage residents to those who have concerns about a friend or neighbour to give us a call.”

The Royal Borough's Stay Warm Stay Safe scheme includes:

* A free room thermometer

* Advice and help on keeping fuel bills down

* A benefit check by a Welfare Rights Service

* Home fire safety visits by the London Fire Brigade

* An energy efficiency assessment

* Advice on keeping active and healthy in the winter months

* Advice on flu jabs

Call free on 0800 470 4831 to speak to the Stay Warm Stay Safe team, or for further details visit www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk/staywarm or tweet to #Greenwichstaywarm.