FOLD Providing warmth and hope for all Locals helping locals stay warm in their homes Upheaval on world energy markets in 2022 saw the price of energy skyrocket. Everyday purchases became much more expensive and many older people on low incomes were finding it impossible to cope. Our Winter Warmth Fund has helped many vulnerable older people with their fuel bills, raising more than £2.3 million over more than a decade. But this past winter it was clear that the significant increase in fuel costs would push many more elderly and vulnerable people into fuel poverty so we set the 2022/23 appeal target at an ambitious £500,000. And with the help of our amazing supporters, including our match funders, that target was met and more! A total of £661,908 was raised allowing our partners, the four Cumbrian branches of Age UK and Copeland Age and Advice Service, to make 2,413 grants, benefiting 3,223 people. Our partners do an excellent job. While distributing the grants, they check on applicants’ wellbeing and helped them to secure a total of £475,786 in unclaimed and backdated benefits, and improve the energy efficiency of their homes. But they couldn’t do any of it without our supporters – fundholders, companies, community fundraisers and individual donors – many of whom donate their Winter Fuel Payment while others simply make whatever donation they can afford. This is all supported by our match funding champions who help incentivise donations by matching other people’s donations £ for £. Everyone’s generosity is hugely appreciated. It really does make a real difference. Community Warm Spots for all In the autumn of 2022, poverty and the costof-living crisis, were identified as the biggest threats to public health in Cumbria. The Warm Spot Fund was established, with funding from Cumbria County Council’s Public Health Recovery and Restart Fund and Cumbria Community Foundation, to provide warm spaces where people could go to keep warm during the day without having to pay to heat their homes. BAE Systems also contributed to the fund. Charitable organisations were given grants of up to £1,000 to set up a Warm Spot in any community venue such as a village hall, a community centre or a parish room, that was able to provide a warm and friendly environment for people to meet over refreshments. In total, 103 Warm Spots were supported across the county, and many applied for a further grant to extend their provision. A review of the Warm Spots in the spring, highlighted many wider benefits. The Warm Spots helped people to meet and make new friends, thereby alleviating loneliness and isolation and improving general wellbeing. And people were signposted to other services for advice and guidance, particularly on cost-of-living related issues. With such positive outcomes, a number of Warm Spots have already indicated that they would like to run a similar service next winter. “It’s hard, the thought of facing winter” Mary Morsby is 69 and lives on her own in Walney Island, Barrow-inFurness. With significant health issues that are aggravated by the cold, Mary said: “If I can’t keep the house warm, or warmish, then I get bad coughing fits and my chest gets tight.” She wasn’t using her electric fire as it is too expensive, and her central heating runs off meters that cut out when the money runs out. “I was leaving the heating off and putting on a house coat and extra jumper. To be truthful sometimes it is warmer outside than it is in.” Mary said the Winter Warmth grant made a huge difference last winter: “The money was like a Godsend really. It helped me to put money on the gas and electric and get warmer.” Mary continued: “I am very grateful to the people who donate, they don’t know how much of a difference it makes. It’s a life saver. It’s hard, the thought of facing winter.” 1st Wetheral Brownies are absolute fundraising stars! Over the past eight years, the 7 – 11 year olds have raised a grand total of £7,500 for the Winter Warmth Fund. They’ve slept out in the towers of spooky castles, near Hadrian’s Wall, in countryside barns, and in tents by a very soggy Windermere. And all the time full of smiles, smores and the obligatory sing songs with lashings of hot chocolate and enthusiasm supported by their inspirational leader, Tawny Owl Janice Brown. When asked why they do it, Janice said: “We gave the Brownies the chance to nominate the charity that they wish to raise money for, and their overwhelming conclusion was that they want money they raise to go to local people. They like the idea of being able to help an older person in Penrith or Whitehaven – places they have heard of and places where they are horrified that folks might be dying of the cold. It all goes to show what little people can do!” Match Champions Cuppas and craic at Egremont Methodist Church Growing Local Philanthropy 6 7
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