Get ready for Winter - contact Warm Homes Oldham now

The long, hot summer is over.

With temperatures dropping, now is the right time to make sure your home is ready for winter.

Those of you who don’t have a central heating system in your home are being offered an opportunity to get one for free thanks to the Greater Manchester Warm Homes Fund.

A number of Oldham residents have already been in touch and have had a fully-funded ‘first-time’ central heating system installed.

However, the installations are on a first come, first served basis and once the money runs out the scheme will close to new applicants.

So don’t delay and get in touch as soon as possible.

Among those who have already benefited from the scheme is Anne Lord, of Shaw.

Anne said: “I’ve lived in my house for 12 years and one of the main reasons I’d never had central heating fitted was due to the cost.

"I’d had to use an electric fire.

“Warm Homes has been brilliant for me and I’m looking forward to being warm this winter.”

The Greater Manchester Warm Homes Fund aims to provide a helping hand to vulnerable households that struggle to stay warm during the winter months.

It is open to owner occupiers who meet certain conditions based on income, health or other personal circumstances.

The £1.8 million funding for the scheme has been secured by GMCA and the local authorities from the nationwide Warm Homes Fund established by National Grid and administered by Affordable Warmth Solutions.

This central heating funding complements Warm Homes Oldham - funded  by Oldham Council, Oldham Housing Investment Partnership and Oldham NHS CCG – which offers grants for insulation, boilers, energy advice support, income maximisation, energy switching and the fitting of small energy devices.

Councillor Hannah Roberts, Cabinet Member for Housing, said: “We estimate more than 1,500 households in the borough don’t have any central heating and are instead relying on storage heaters and room heaters which are expensive to run and don’t provide adequate warmth

“Unfortunately we know people are still living in fuel poverty, but we are doing our bit to help through the Warm Homes Oldham scheme, which has already supported more than 5,700 people.

“We are aiming to help even more as it’s not right that in this day and age people are getting into debt or falling ill because they can’t afford to heat their homes properly.

“If you know anyone that would benefit, or anyone that works with households who struggle to heat their homes, please let them know.”

The first step in the process for Oldham households is to get in touch with Warm Homes Oldham to check their eligibility by calling 0800 019 1084.

For more information, see: www.warmhomes.org.uk

Warm Homes Oldham is part of the Green Oldham campaign a new, year-long campaign to promote and celebrate Oldham’s amazing natural environment, showcasing the very best in green spaces, wildlife and environmental initiatives.

The aim is to help residents to find out how to make the most of the fantastic green areas that surround the town, enjoy local outdoor events and encourage organisations to make environmentally conscious choices.

For more information, visit: www.oldham.gov.uk/greenoldham  

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