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Utility Trust Funds, Helping People to Stay Warm this Winter
WITH the onset of winter weather and especially during this current
cold snap, many people are concerned about how they can keep
warm and healthy. If you or somebody you know - perhaps a relative,
friend or neighbour - is anxious about
how to afford winter fuel bills, there are a number of different
schemes available to help including a grant from a utilities trust
fund.
These trust funds are independent charitable organisations that
exist to clear the electricity or gas debts of people who can
demonstrate a genuine need and who are current customers of certain
donating companies. And a grant could make the difference between
keeping the heating on and being forced to turn it off this winter.
A single organisation - Charis Grants - manages two of the largest
trust funds of their kind in the country, awarding millions of
pounds each year to tens of thousands of people most in need. Grants
are available through Charis from the British Gas Energy Trust
(funded by British Gas for domestic customers of either British or
Scottish Gas) and the EDF Energy Trust (funded by EDF Energy for
domestic customers of EDF Energy, SWEB Energy, Seeboard Energy and
London Energy).
Head of Operations at Charis, Des Scott, said:- "A significant
amount of money is available to eligible people across the country
to help clear gas and electricity debts, and this is never more
important than during periods of poor weather. Grants are not loans,
do not need to be repaid, and really do enable people to keep their
heating switched on, to stay warm and to stay healthy".
Further information about these trust funds and how to apply for
help is available from the Charis information line on 01733 421050
or from the Charis web site at
www.charisgrants.com.
And for people who are not eligible for help from one of these trust
funds, both EDF Energy and British Gas offer special tariff schemes,
the details of which can be obtained direct from the companies
themselves. |
WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP TO DEVELOP A SENSIBLE APPROACH TO ALCOHOL
THE North West is to host a National conference, which will focus on
the impact of alcohol on modern society and highlight ways in which
different agencies and organisations can work together to encourage
sensible, social drinking practices across the UK.
The vast majority of British people enjoy alcohol in a social
environment and recognise that when used in moderation it is an
important part of our Culture. But for others, alcohol misuse is a
very real problem, costing the British economy an estimated £20bn a
year.
In order to promote sensible, social drinking and discourage chronic
or binge drinking a complex partnership approach is required at all
levels. This one-day conference sets out to highlight and develop
partnerships between NHS organisations (treatment and prevention),
local authorities, the drinks industry, police, education and
community services to support local communities and individuals in
promoting a sensible approach to alcohol consumption.
Wendy Meredith, Director of Public Health at Central Cheshire PCT
will Chair the proceedings. There will be keynote presentations from
Professor Mark Bellis (Director of Centre for Public Health & North
West Public Health Observatory), Lee le Clercq (the British Beer and
Pub Association), Don Lavoie (the Department of Health) and
Charlotte Billington (Cumbria and Lancashire Strategic Health
Authority. There will also be a choice of workshop sessions
presented by organizations and agencies including the Portman Group,
the Manchester City Centre Safe Initiative, Lancaster University,
Merseycare/ the Windsor Clinic, NUS Services Ltd and Healthworks.
The conference will take place at the LACE Conference Centre, Sefton
Park, Liverpool on Thursday 15 December, 9.15 am to 4.15 pm. More
information is available from
www.eventsnorthern.co.uk or by calling 01772 336 639.
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