2 minute read
Surviving Winter
Hundreds of elderly people in the Somerset area are forced to choose between heating and eating every single winter. This winter The Somerset Community Foundations Surviving Winter Project will see even more pensioners facing the choice of heating or eating as energy prices rise. And in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, this winter will continue to be difficult and worrying for many of our older neighbours. Many will need to stay at home to keep themselves safe, will find themselves cut off from family and friends, and will face even higher costs to heat their homes this year. With your help, the foundation can help them stay warm, safe and well. If you can afford to, please donate some or all of your winter fuel payment to help support those living in fuel poverty here.
Your donations will help us make sure around 500 vulnerable older people across Somerset have the support they need to get through the winter.
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Your gift will help provide:
• Vital grants to cover heating costs • Community meals, befriending support or online activities to reduce loneliness and isolation
• Support to help those in need to access specialist services and community groups
Joyce’s story
At 81, Joyce dreads every winter and goes without food just to make sure she’s able to keep her home heated. She told us how a Surviving Winter grant made such a difference last year and meant she didn’t need to choose between food in her cupboards or a warm home. “Every winter I struggle to pay the increased heating bills. I dread winter. I have poor circulation, brought on by Raynaud’s Disease, and it’s just so difficult to get warm. My fingers and toes are never warm, even in the summer. In the winter they go nearly black with the cold. I need to make sure my little two-bedroom bungalow is heated in the winter, so I go without other things instead. I won’t go out, or I cut down on food. I’ll go to the supermarket in the evenings when I know the food is sometimes reduced.
The money I got from the Surviving Winter grant stopped all my worry last year. It was such a great help and for me it meant a winter without stress for once. It meant I didn’t have to go without food and I could afford to pay my heating bill.”
How to donate
You can support the Surviving Winter appeal by making an online donation: it’s quick and easy to donate you can also donate by calling us on 01749 344949.
