Warmth stories

Raising awareness and getting support for Spread the Warmth is vital - but how does it actually help people in later life?

To show what Age UK does to help vulnerable older people, here are just a few examples of how we've helped spread the warmth across England.

Age UK Dudley

A lady aged 91 was referred to us - she lived in almost total isolation and didn't qualify for a ‘care package’ as she was assessed as having sufficient (albeit limited) mobility to move around indoors at home. 

After a visit and assessment from a Good Neighbour Scheme staff member, the lady was allocated a Volunteer who maintained high level support and contact during December and January.

She also got a winter pack, which proved particularly useful as her existing telephone was faulty and couldn't be relied upon in the event of an emergency/power cut. 

The spare telephone in the winter pack provided a backup facility and considerable peace of mind.  On one visit the lady commented “it’s so nice to know that someone cares”.

Age UK Surrey

Mrs G returned home from hospital on the 15th December after having had an operation on her leg. Not only was she incapacitated because of the operation but she also has rheumatoid arthritis which is particularly painful during the cold weather.

Her Home Help delivered a ‘Bundle of Warmth’ on the 16th December, including a warm fleece, thermal gloves, hat and socks together with a box of soups and thermos flask - it was very warmly welcomed. 

The Home Help was able to fill up the flask before she left in the morning so that Mrs G could have warm drinks all day.

Age UK Leicestershire and Rutland

Mr Parker lives in a small terraced dwelling just on the outskirts of Leicester City Centre, is housebound and has poor mobility. 

The cost to heat his home was excessive in the very cold spell and it was affecting his health, as he would prefer to sit in the cold than to put the heating on. He was afraid that he could not afford to pay the bill when it came.

Mr Parker's carer, who visits him twice a day, contacted us and we visited him to assess his needs.

We suggested he should apply for the winter warmth grant, which he got, enabling him to keep his heating on a little longer than usual.

We also gave Mr Parker low energy light bulbs, a food hamper, a flask, a blanket, a scarf, a hot water bottle, and an electric heater.

Age UK Lindsey

Mrs P has mobility issues with a twisted spine and was originally referred to us for benefits advice. 

When our Information & Advice (I&A) officer visited Mrs P, her carer happened to say that if she had a flask she could leave her a warm drink, so that Mrs P has something warm to help herself to in between meal time calls. 

Our I&A Officer delivered one of our winter warmth packs and a flask and Mrs P and the carer have found it extremely useful.

Age UK Hertfordshire

Mr X is 90 and lives alone. He heard about Age UK Herts through a friend and attends Douglas Tilbe House five days a week.

He says that coming to the centre means everything to him as this is the only social interaction he gets. 

He enjoys meeting friends and making new ones at the centre and said that the winter warmth goody bag was much appreciated and would serve him well during the winter evenings.

Age UK Leeds

Mrs X lives alone in Barnsley and came to our Winter Warmth event, telling us she had frozen pipes which meant she had no hot water.

We contacted the local council but, owing to the severe weather, no call-outs were taking place, so we called East North East Homes and arranged an emergency call-out. 

We also helped Mrs X get Attendance Allowance at the highest rate and referred her to the Red Cross for hospital aftercare and Falls Prevention service.