Central government cash boost for Southwark project
Published 11 January 2012
Southwark’s ‘Keep warm and well’ project has just received a £122,000 cash award from the Department of Health (DoH).
The project aims to reduce the death and morbidity rates caused by cold housing and severe cold weather.
Peckham Settlement, a local charity that supports the local community including older people, will act as the 'Keep warm and well' project managers and work with volunteer bases such as Time & Talents, Dulwich Helpline and Southwark Churches. The charity will look to raise the profile of 'Keep warm and well' campaign by utilising the community support team at Age Concern.
According to a 2011 DoH profile, deprivation in Southwark is higher than the national average and older people in the borough face a major risk of fuel poverty. The 'Keep warm and well' project is targeting the localities with the greatest deprivation; Camberwell, Peckham and part of East Dulwich .
Southwark also has above average rates of deaths due to Cardio - Vascular Disease (CVD) and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) which accounts for almost a third of all deaths in the borough. Southwark's Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) notes that local people are one and a half times more likely to die from COPD than the national population. Both CVD and COPD are conditions aggravated by living in cold conditions.
Influenza and winter mortality peaks also share a link and cold housing contributes to the development of health complications from influenza.
The 'Keep warm and well project' will give older people access to information and advice about making homes warmer, energy efficient and affordable. They will also be entitled to installation and emergency measures services should they require it.
Councillor Dora Dixon - Fyle, cabinet member for health and adult social care said:
"Securing funding for the 'Keep warm and well' project is a brilliant result for Southwark.
"I'm extremely confident that Peckham Settlement will steer the project in the right direction and receive full support from other organisations."
Keep warm and well' is due to run until 31 March and by that time, 750 elderly vulnerable people in Southwark should have had a visit from the befriending volunteers, received advice about keeping warm and well in cold weather and help with maximising their income.
