"Big Tick" award for Health Through Warmth scheme -
17/11/06
A national energy efficiency initiative, which operates in 16
areas across England and Wales, including the Vale of Glamorgan,
has earned a prestigious national business award.
The Heath Through Warmth scheme, which involves the Vale Council
and RWE npower working in partnership, won a "Big Tick" at this
year's annual Business in the Community Awards for Excellence.
The BUPA Healthy Communities Award (supported by the Department
of Health) was presented to RWE npower for its commitment to
corporate responsibility. HTW is a £10 million project, which was
set up in 2000 in partnership with the NHS and National Energy
Action (NEA).
The aim of the scheme is to help alleviate health problems
experienced by vulnerable people, which result from, or are
exacerbated by, cold and damp living conditions.
Cllr John Thomas, Vale Cabinet Member (Housing and Community
Safety), said: “The Health Through Warmth partnership provides the
mechanism to find the vulnerable people in our local community,
whose health is suffering due to their living conditions, and give
them the help they require.
"We are convinced the help available can make a positive
difference to the health of so many vulnerable people in this
area."
Community workers, such as nurses, midwives, occupational
therapists and even the police and fire service, are trained to
identify signs that the condition of someone’s home is having an
impact on their health. Once clients are identified, appropriate
energy efficiency measures and heating is installed and information
and advice provided.
Since its launch in 2000, the npower HTW team has trained more
than 12,500 community workers. This has led to over 19,000
referrals and £15 million worth of grants initiated. The npower
Crisis Fund alone has funded almost £1.9 million worth of measures
to improve conditions in homes across the country.
Up until the end of 2005, npower committed £7.2 million towards
the operation of the scheme and provision of the Crisis Fund.
Additionally, £500,000 has been set aside to fund community
projects that focus on innovative health related, energy efficiency
activities to complement the main scheme.
Elaine Midwinter, npower Health Through Warmth manager, said:
“We’re delighted to win this award. The scheme has made a real
difference to many vulnerable households.”
In addition, npower picked up the Impact on Society for a Large
Company Award at the awards and has been shortlisted for national
judging.
HTW co-ordinator for the Vale Hannah Jones said the Vale was
working hard to ensure all residents of the area were aware of the
scheme and, those who qualified, received the marvellous
benefits
Anyone requiring further information on Health Through Warmth
can contact Hannah on (01446) 709847