Winter weather

Keeping warm and well

Find out about available support with the cost of heating your home, and how to stay safe and prevent falls.

Get help with energy costs

Older adults and those with long-term health conditions should try and heat their homes to at least 18C to prevent the health effects of cold. Get support with energy costs if you're on a low income.

The Southwark Energy Savers scheme provides advice and support to reduce your energy bills, including through energy efficiency improvements. Green Doctors can also provide 1:1 support to reduce your bills.

Age UK’s Winter Wrapped Up guide includes useful tips and tricks to keep your home warmer for free, for example, by closing curtains at night to keep in the heat.

Support to prevent falling

To prevent falls in and around your home, follow advice from Guy’s and St Thomas NHS Trust.

Look after yourself and others

Eat regularly and help to get food

Try and have regular hot meals and drinks to keep warm. Support getting food if you can’t afford it is available.

Get urgent support with food and prescriptions if the weather is too bad to go out by contacting the Southwark Community Support Alliance.

Warm spaces to visit across Southwark

Feeling cold and or isolated at home? Visit one of Southwark’s warm spaces for activities, drinks and snacks in a cosy environment.

Check on vulnerable relatives, friends and neighbours

Check on vulnerable relatives, friends and neighbours, particularly during cold spells, and contact 111, or 999 in an emergency, if you have concerns about their health.

Get up to date with your vaccinations

Get vaccinated against COVID-19 and flu if you're over 65, have a long-term health condition or care for someone who does. Your protection against flu and COVID-19 needs boosting because immunity declines over time. Find out more about flu and COVID-19 vaccinations.

Page last updated: 29 November 2023