Leicestershire County Council : Helping to stay warm and healthy in your home

Over the past 12 months, the county council's Warm Homes, Healthy Homes scheme has offered advice to more than 800 people across Leicestershire.

The Papworth Trust, which delivers the service on behalf of the council, advised people around managing fuel debt, repairs, energy bills, simple home tips, how to read a meter and switching suppliers.

The scheme also helped 114 people with heating and insulation improvements to their home, including 60 people who were supported through a £325,000 fund provided by National Energy Action. The funding was matched by the NHS and enabled their properties to have boiler repairs, new boilers and, in some cases, the installation of central heating systems.

Keeping warm and well in your own home is very important, particularly as temperatures fall, and we want to encourage people to seek support where they can.

Person:Councillor Ernie White, county council cabinet member for health

Vicky McDermott, chief executive of Papworth Trust, said: 'We hear first-hand how difficult fuel poverty can make day-to-day life and, through this service, we're able to sit down with residents and provide advice and support which can make such a difference to their wellbeing.'

To find out more about how the scheme can offer advice, and to see if you or a friend or family member are eligible for a healthy home check, please contact 0300 333 6544 or email [e-mail]

For more general information about staying well this winter, visit: www.nhs/staywellOpens another website in new window

Warm Homes, Healthy Homes is also part of the Lightbulb programme, a collaboration between the county council, district councils and other partners designed to help older and vulnerable stay safe and well in their own home for as long as possible.