A Mersey-wide campaign to help residents keep warm this winter and tackle fuel poverty has been launched.
The VIRIDIS Winter Warmth campaign is backed by 17 local authorities and housing associations in the Liverpool City Region.
It was launched at Friday’s Energy Projects Plus and National Energy Action’s Merseyside Fuel Poverty Conference held at The Women’s Organisation in St James Street.
The aims of the campaign are to:
- Help people to get the best energy deal
- Raise awareness of how to keep warm and use less energy
- Help people to access financial support for fuel bills or insulation
- Offer health advice and support to keep people well in the winter months
- Prevent people from being isolated and at risk in the cold weather
A total of 24 events are planned across the Liverpool City Region over the next four months to raise awareness among residents and offer help.
These range from the annual Liverpool City Council Winter Warmth event at St George’s Hall to smaller activities like St Helens Council handing out winter warmth packs at libraries.
John Bowker is LMH’s Assistant Director of Property Services and the Chairman of VIRIDIS and spoke at the event.
He said: “Too many people still suffer during the colder winter weather and the risks are serious for their health and finances.
“As such, many dread the end of summer and autumn and this can have a lot of negative consequences mentally and physically.
“To combat this, the VIRIDIS Winter Warmth campaign wants to make people aware that there is a lot of help and support available that will make a huge difference.
“Events are being held across Merseyside until January and we would urge people to come along or tell others about them if they know they need help.”
Chair of Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, Cllr Phil Davies, said: “I welcome the partnership approach between councils and housing associations to deliver essential messages to prevent unnecessary illnesses and deaths this winter.
“Long term weather forecasts are indicating a colder-than-average winter approaching.
“There is so much support out there to help people make their home warmer, reduce energy bills, reduce social isolation and staying healthy and I recommend people attend our VIRIDIS events to find out more.”
The VIRIDIS Winter Warmth Campaign is sponsored by SP Energy Networks.
Stephen Stewart, SP Energy Networks Director, said: “We are delighted to be lead sponsor, the campaign brings together a wide range of agencies and organisations to offer assistance to those who need it most.
“As part of the campaign we will be encouraging our most vulnerable customers to join our Priority Register, which gives access to additional support and advice in the event of an issue with power supplies.”