VULNERABLE people living across Wales can now access support services and resources to help them stay safe and warm in their homes, through a new partnership between Healthy Homes Solutions (HHS) and Warm Wales, supported by the gas distribution network, Wales & West Utilities.
As part of HHS’ Vulnerability Initiative, the partnership provides a telephone helpline where people receive help registering with services such as the Priority Services Register (PSR), access wellbeing support resources from partners such as Better Housing Better Health, Kidney Care UK and Mental Health UK. Residents also receive eligibility checks for energy efficiency grants, and the partnership will also provide carbon monoxide (CO) alarms where needed, as well as CO safety advice.
According to an FCA survey, nearly 25 million people in the UK exhibited one or more characteristics of vulnerability, including poor health and poor numeracy skills.
The Vulnerability Initiative aims to ensure people receive the support they qualify for by simplifying the process of finding and accessing support services, reducing stress and improving wellbeing.
More than 2,000 people in Wales have already accessed the service and been given the right support. On average, each resident is connected to around three different services – meaning individuals are not just referred once but are matched with the most relevant mix of wellbeing, financial, and energy support to improve their lives and homes.
For example, one Cardiff resident, who did not want to be named, was registered with the PSR and received a home visit to assess their energy usage. The tips and help they received could help save them £300 a year.
The resident said: “I’m very grateful for the information and to be shown what support is available to me. It’s helped me feel better about certain things and I know where help is when I need it again.”
Derek Owen, Managing Director of Healthy Homes Solutions and the Vulnerability Initiative, said: ”We’re proud to partner with Warm Wales to support more vulnerable people, especially those who don’t know why they’re struggling. Over 7% of those we help feel vulnerable but can’t pinpoint the cause.
”Through the Vulnerability Initiative, we’ve developed a triage system that identifies their needs and connects them to the right support, whether financial, energy-related, or wellbeing services. Together, we’re making it easier for people to access the help they need to improve their situation.”
The programme is supported and funded by Wales & West Utilities through the Vulnerability and Carbon Monoxide Allowance (VCMA).
Sophie Shorney, Engagement & Social Impact Manager at Wales & West Utilities, said: ”This partnership shows the true value of a joined-up approach in helping vulnerable and fuel-poor households.
”We’re delighted to support this initiative as part of our commitment to support customers in vulnerable situations. By working together, we can make sure people not only get the right advice but also the right support services when they need them most.”
Lucy Leighton, Projects Director at Warm Wales, said: ”The Healthy Homes Solutions Vulnerability Initiative helps recruit and easily bring people into the VCMA-funded services.
”The real benefit is that we gain far more information about the different types of support residents need and how we can help them through our range of services.
”This means the matching of services to needs is far stronger, and the time taken to get people the right help is massively reduced, making the whole process a vital support arm for everyone across the Wales & West Utilities regions.
”Importantly, HHS VI also delivers this service for other utility companies across the UK, proving that the model really does work extremely well.”
People wanting to access support should visit The Vulnerability Initiative website.
