Citizens Advice SORT Group Healthy Homes, Healthier Lives GM
Funded Project: Description
The project aims to improve the health and well-being of Greater Manchester residents living with health conditions by alleviating fuel poverty and creating healthier home environments.
This project will help individuals and their families where a member has a pre-existing health condition, such as respiratory illness, cardiovascular disease, or dementia, which is often worsened by a cold or damp home. Residents will be reached through trusted referral pathways, including their established Macmillan support services, dementia carer teams, and new partnerships with GPs and community health organisations.
They will deliver a dedicated and intensive energy casework service, providing holistic, one-to-one support. This includes in-depth advice on energy efficiency and debt, income maximisation, and hands-on assistance to access grants for essential heating and insulation measures. They will also provide training to health professionals and implement an innovative SMS referral platform to create a more integrated and responsive support system for those most in need.
Ultimately, the project aims to deliver tangible benefits to vulnerable consumers by providing warmer, healthier, and more affordable homes.