Braid Ulster Unionist Councillor, Alan Barr, has highlighted services which Mid and East Antrim Borough Council offers to assist residents over the winter.
These services provide support for households on a range of issues including energy efficiency and home safety through funding provided by the Public Health Agency.
Councillor Barr commented:
“The decision by the Labour Government to scrap the winter fuel payments means that thousands of our pensioners could be up to £300 a year worse off. This will result in some of our pensioners having to face the stark choice of heating or eating.
“Additionally, some of our pensioners now being financially worse off due to losing this payment, may not be able to socialise anymore. This will increase loneliness and isolation within the Borough.”
The Councillor continued:
“Although it won’t replace the winter fuel payment, Mid and East Antrim Borough Council offers some support for eligible people.”
These services are:
Energy Advice Service: This service offers bespoke advice and guidance to help people take steps to be safe, warm and well in their homes.
The service includes home visits, advice on current household energy use, management of heating systems, budgeting for fuel and support with onward referrals to grant schemes.
Subject to availability, equipment can be provided to help save energy in the home such as radiator foils and chimney balloons.
Heater Lending Scheme: This scheme is a temporary measure designed to support households that require a boiler replacement or have no working heating system.
Home Accident Prevention Service: These free checks are offered to people over 65, those who have a child under 5 or vulnerable adults. These checks provide information, advice and support to help stay safe in the home.
A check will involve a quick, relaxed and informal assessment of the home and will look at risks including falls, blind cords, burns, scalds and carbon monoxide.
After both the Energy Advice and Home Accident Prevention checks, people can be signposted to other support agencies to provide a more beneficial wrap-around service for households.
If any residents wish to avail of these services, please contact the Community Health and Wellbeing Team on 028 2563 3394 or wellbeing@midandeastantrim.gov.uk.