Tuesday 6 March 2018

Stand Up for your Good Health and Well-being (Issue No. 020318)

Keeping Warm & Well This Winter

There are lots of easy, practical steps you can take to save energy and reduce fuel costs:

Efficient Heating

· Ensure that the household temperature is kept no higher than 21°C, unless a medical condition necessitates it. It is easiest to regulate the temperature using a room thermostat, so install one if you don’t already have one.

· If you have a central heating system, make sure you are using timers and programmers to switch the heating on only when someone is active within the house. Heating should not be left on overnight, except for medical reasons.

· Move furniture away from radiators, and install cheap radiator panels or tin foil behind them, to ensure the heat is reflected back into the room.

· Keep your radiator clear. A sofa in front of the radiator will stop the heat circulating around the whole room.Use thermal or heavy curtains, letter box covers and key hole covers to keep the heat in and draughts out, saving up to £35 a year on your energy bills

· Set heating to come on only when someone is active in the house (not overnight) and set thermostats no higher than 21°C, unless a medical condition means you need a higher temperature.

· There are now government-backed full and partial grants available to help you pay for insulation.You can find out more about these grants and other energy saving information by visiting www.energysavingtrust.org.uk

or by calling the Energy Saving Advice Service on 0300 123 1234.

Draught-Proofing Insulation

· Keep chills out this winter by buying a home draught-proofing kit from a local DIY store

· Insulate your loft to save up to £250 a year on energy bills. 270mm or 10 inches is recommended. Visit www.energysavingtrust.org.uk or call 0300 123 1234 for more advice

Water

· Do not leave an electric immersion heater on for more than an hour, particularly if you are on an Economy 7 tariff. The immersion should only be used for a quick ‘boost’ of hot water.

· Fit a thermostat to your hot water cylinder. Setting the thermostat to 60°C will keep water hot and save energy

· Buy a cheap water cylinder jacket to prevent heat loss from the tank. It could save you up to £35 a year on fuel bills

· Have a shower instead of a bath – it saves on both water and fuel usage

· If you’re with Thames Water, get a free water saving shower head at http://freebies.thameswater.co.uk

Appliances

· Turn appliances off at the plug, particularly overnight, to reduce your electricity bills

· Turn lights off when not in use and use energy saving bulbs to reduce your electricity bills

· Only fill the kettle with enough water for your needs. If you only want a cuppa, only put that much in to boil!

· Use pan lids to reduce steam and the energy needed for cooking

· Use economy settings for appliances, such as 30°C for washing machines

If you believe that a more support is necessary, please contact the HEET project: http://www.theheetproject.org.uk . Tel: 02085201900

Getting extra support from your energy supplier:

Priority Services Register which could offer some extra help!

https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/consumers/household-gas-and-electricity-guide/extra-help-energy-services/priority-services-register-people-need

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/energy/energy-supply/get-help-paying-your-bills/getting-extra-support-from-your-energy-supplier/

https://www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme/guarantee-pension-credit

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/energy/energy-supply/get-help-paying-your-bills/grants-and-benefits-to-help-you-pay-your-energy-bills/

More information at: https://www.energyhelpline.com/ or call 0800 074 0745

Switching Supplier

Households can save up to £200 a year by switching supplier, or even just changing to a new tariff. Have a bill or annual statement to hand, then go to the Go Energy Shopping website (https://www.energyhelpline.com) to start the search. If they do not have access to the internet, they can call the Energy Helpline on 0800 074 0745. To find out who supplies your fuel (necessary for price comparison):

Uswitch:

https://www.uswitch.com/

UK Power Networks

https://www.ukpowernetworks.co.uk/

Information and Referrals:

NEA ‘Top Tips’ leaflet (Private Rented Sector)

http://www.nea.org.uk/projects/community-action-partnership/cardiff/fuel-poverty-leaflets/

For further one-to-one support to help manage your bills or to check you are receiving all the benefits you are entitled to, contact your Citizens Advice.

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/energy/energy-supply/

https://citizensadviceenfield.org.uk/

The HEET project:

If you need more support in saving energy at home please contact The HEET project: www.theheetproject.org.uk

Energy Saving Advice Service, Tel: 0300 123 1234 : www.energysavingstrust.org.uk

Energy Helpline www.energyhelpline.com

Turn2us

Turn2us is a national charity that helps people in financial hardship gain access to welfare benefits, charitable grants and support services.

www.turn2us.org.uk

Grants and benefits to help you pay your energy bills

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/energy/energy-supply/get-help-paying-your-bills/grants-and-benefits-to-help-you-pay-your-energy-bills/

https://www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme/guarantee-pension-credit

Step Change Debt Charity

https://www.stepchange.org/debt-info/gas-and-electricity-arrears.aspx

National Debtline

www.nationaldebtline.org

The following links provide additional information about the effects of cold weather on our health.

Five ways to stay healthy over winter

It may be cold outside but winter needn't be the unhealthiest time of year for you and your family.

https://www.nhs.uk/LiveWell/Winterhealth/Pages/Winterhealthhome.aspx

10 winter illnesses

Some health problems, such as asthma, sore throat and cold sores, are triggered or worsened by cold weather. Here's how to deal with cold weather ailments.

https://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/winterhealth/Pages/Winterhealthrisks.aspx

https://www.coolantarctica.com/Antarctica%20fact%20file/science/cold-weather-health.php

7 Surprising Effects Of Cold Weather On The Body

https://www.care2.com/greenliving/7-surprising-effects-of-cold-weather-on-the-body.html

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Our Vision and Services

Our vision is of a society where no one should experience discrimination on the grounds of their mental health.

Mental health problems are extremely common across society, with one in four of us experiencing them in any year. Despite being so common, people from all communities will still experience discriminatory attitudes and behaviours that can prevent people from speaking out, seeking support and playing full and active roles in our communities. The impact of mental health stigma and discrimination will vary between communities as mental health has a cultural context that affects the way communities talk about the subject and engage with people who have mental health problems. In some cultures depression, for example, doesn't exist and in others an experience of a mental health problem can be attached to a sense of shame.

For the African and Caribbean communities a key issue is the overrepresentation of young African and Caribbean men in mental health services. Misconceptions and stereotypes have led to a perception that this group is more likely to pose a risk of violent behaviour and, as a result, they are more likely to be treated as inpatients and sectioned when compared to other groups. It is well documented that this has led to a fear of talking about mental health issues more openly and a fear of using mental health services. Research by the Race Equality Foundation (2011) also highlighted fears that discrimination against Black & Minority Ethnic (BME) communities and migrant service users will increase in the austerity climate and whilst commissioning arrangements change.

Our Services

· Provide information, advice, advocacy

· Represent diversity communities in Health Care services, policies and strategies

· Organise training in health and social care in collaboration with local colleges

· Provide human resources ( including interpreters) who are suitable to the diversity communities especially to break language and cultural barriers

· Provides domiciliary care and support

· Provide services such specialised support for people with mental health needs, including people who suffer from short-term memory problems, Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease.

· Provide visits to elderly people and help them with outings and home services

· Participate in local authority and NHS consultations , research events and programmes to voice the needs of diversity communities.

· Increase access to services and rights for disadvantaged people and the most vulnerable of our society

· Help and support unemployed people to look for work, including training and job preparation

· Provide legal advice in a range of issues from on Immigration and Asylum , welfare benefits, housing, health, education, community care, and training, employment, etc.

· Provide advice and guidance, information and practical help so that our service users can access opportunities they are entitled to

· Organise training and other community learning opportunities that provide new skills, increase confidence and motivation

· Support our service users to overcome barriers to learning, employment and training

· Provide support for young people with their education, training, confidence building, employment and social needs.

Objectives of our Diversity Living Programme:

· To promote the inclusion and participation of diversity communities* in integrated care.

· To inform policy, locally and nationally, and assisting in the formulation of effective policies, strategies and good practices in integrated care in order to contribute to improved health outcomes for the people from the diversity communities (e.g. Black and minority ethnic communities) and to ensure health services are able to meet their specific needs.

· To improve the quality of life for diversity people with disability, mental health problems and their families and carers through integrated care by providing inclusive advocacy and information.

· To provide service that enable diversity groups and individuals with disability /elderly and their carers to make the right choice for themselves and have an influence on decisions made about their future.

· To promote the rights of diversity people with disability, their families and carers and make sure their rights are safe and protected.

· To promoting access to information regarding healthcare issues and to raise awareness of the needs of diversity disabled children, young people, older people and their families.

· To promote the rights of older and disabled diversity people, helping them overcome and enable them to participate in decisions about their future

· To provide support and information to those suffering the isolation and loneliness that can be associated with disability and old age

· To fight against mental health stigma in refugee, black and minority ethnic communities and ensure no one should experience discrimination on the grounds of their mental health or disability.

*Diversity communities are older people, disabled people, Black, Asian, refugees, migrants, asylum seekers and other ethnic minorities.

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