Council receives grant to help people "keep warm"

Government awards £94,088 grant for West Berkshire's vulnerable residents

WEST Berkshire Council has been awarded a grant of £94,088 from the Department of Health to help vulnerable people across the district to keep warm and healthy.

The 'Warm Homes Healthy People' fund will work through a network of voluntary and community organisations tackle health issues associated with cold housing.

The money will be distributed through a network of voluntary and community organisations to tackle health issues associated with cold housing.

The aim of the project is to directly support one thousand people and provide information and resources to a further thirty thousand homes by the end of March.

West Berkshire's executive councillor responsible for adult social care, Joe Mooney (Con, Birch Copse), said: "Through the voluntary sector network we will be able to identify and support individual households to maximise benefit income and minimise heating costs. Working together will ensure that practical help can be given to those that need it most."

The Community Council for Berkshire (CCB) will be leading on the project and have created a special information web page.

Acting Chief Executive of CCB, Jonathan Cole, said: "With the rising cost of fuel there is an increasing risk that vulnerable people will not be able to keep themselves warm. The grant will enable us to help a lot of people to keep warm and stay healthy.”

The Council will work with the Berkshire Community Foundation, West Berkshire Citizens Advice Bureau, Community Council for Berkshire, NHS Berkshire West and the Volunteer Centre West Berkshire to achieve these goals.

For more information visit www.warminwestberkshire.org.uk