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Staying warm can help prevent infection and other serious health problems but if you’re struggling, advice and support is available.
Welcoming places to keep warm
Welcoming spaces have reopened in community venues across North Somerset for people to meet others and access support.
For the past two winters, community living rooms have opened in local buildings, libraries, places of worship and sports centres across the area.
They are welcoming and warm places for people to come together, access support, enjoy a hot drink and stay warm.
Local organisations are helping to support and fund the initiative.
Alliance Homes manages two community living rooms in Weston-super-Mare and says they have made positive impact and a real difference in bringing communities together.
Wessex Water also supports the scheme. Visitors can find a host of information from the company, such as how to get help with your water and sewerage services, what happens if you suffer a water outage, or what to do if you need help paying your water bill.
Find your community living room and see opening times on our website.
Are you a priority?
Energy suppliers and utility companies keep a register of their more vulnerable customers who need to be given priority in the event of a loss of service.
Being on the register means you’ll get advance notice of planned power cuts, priority support in an emergency, regular meter-reading services and other help.
It’s free to join but you must be eligible, such as being of state pension age, being disabled or with a long-term medical condition, recovering from injury or more.
Each company compiles their own list so you’ll need to contact individual utility suppliers to register.
Don’t miss out on pension credit
Are you – or someone you know – over the state pension age?
Pension Credit is a weekly benefit to boost your income, based on how much money you have coming in.
From this winter, only people who receive Pension Credit will be able to get the Winter Fuel Payment - so it's more important than ever to check if you're eligible.
The deadline to apply for Pension Credit is Saturday (21 December) to be able to qualify for the Winter Fuel Payment this winter.
We’re hosting drop-in events this week for you to find out more and get help to apply:
- Yatton Library - tomorrow (Thursday 19 December), from 10am to noon
- Nailsea Library – tomorrow (Thursday 19 December), from 10am to noon
- Weston Library - Friday (20 December), from 10am to noon.
You’ll need to bring along your National Insurance number, information about your income, savings and investments on the date you want to backdate your application to (usually three months ago), and your bank account details.
If you're able to claim Pension Credit you may also qualify for other benefits including including a free TV licence, the warm home discount, cold weather payments, and help with the cost of NHS services such as NHS dental treatment, glasses and transport costs for hospital appointments.
Free blankets and beanies to keep warm
Free blankets and cosy beanie hats are available for free to help people keep warm at home during emergency situations.
The blankets and beanies programme is for more vulnerable people who are struggling to stay warm, whether because of a broken boiler or if they’re having a hard time keeping the heating on.
The programme is funded by us and delivered by Access Your Care.
It’s for residents who need extra warmth, so not available for homeless support.
If you or someone you know could use a bit of warmth, call Access Your Care on 01275 874 861 and press option 5 for the Response 24 and Wellness services.
A responder will deliver the items once the application has been reviewed and accepted.
Wellness support over the phone
Would a friendly telephone call help you through the day?
North Somerset Council funds a wellbeing and social care telephone check-in service that's available free to local people.
The Wellness Service, run by Access Your Care, operates seven days a week.
It might suit someone who has recently returned home from hospital, is recently bereaved, is caring for someone else, or has minor physical or mental health conditions.
Referrals can be made online or by calling 01275 874 861.
Family support
Free activity sessions take place during school holidays for children and young people who get benefits-related free school meals.
Bookings are now being taken for our holiday, activities and food programme, known as HAF, sessions this winter.
You’ll need to have a HAF number for your child. Previous reference numbers can be used again.
Local food support is also available across North Somerset if you’re struggling to afford food during the ongoing cost of living crisis.
A list of food banks, community larders, lunch clubs and pantries (that we’re aware of) are on our website.
Links to local community fridges for discounted food are also available on the Better Health North Somerset website.
If you’re accessing food banks, you’ll need a voucher from your doctor, health visitor, social worker, family support worker or Citizens Advice North Somerset. The voucher is then exchanged for a food parcel.
If you have children, check whether you are eligible for free school meals.
For a round-up of all cost of living support in North Somerset, visit our website.
Christmas council opening hours
Opening hours for many council services will change over the festive period.
Libraries, leisure centres, recycling centres and our contact centre will all be changing their hours over Christmas, so check the venue before heading out.
Visit our website for details.