Stay warm or Eat? What a choice some people have to make

Are you staying warm and well this winter? Having a cold home severely increases risk of illness and premature death, especially in older people, and no one should suffer a cold home, have to choose between heating and eating, or be able to stay warm and well with food and appropriate clothing.

This year will be especially difficult for many with the sharp rise in fuel costs putting pressure on household budgets.

Village Agents are delighted to be the distributor of the Surviving Winter grants on behalf of the Somerset Community Foundation – to help those most at risk pay for winter fuel, as well as being used in other ways to keep people warm and well – for example, a weeks' worth of hot meals or simple measures such as a new winter coat, hot water bottles, gloves and mittens!

The grant is made possible by people who can afford to donate their government winter fuel payment to the scheme – all the information about this can be found here.

If you can afford to, please donate some or all of your Winter Fuel Payment to help support those living in fuel poverty. With your help, we can help them stay warm, safe and well.

If you need help keeping you and your house/home warm and safe, please contact your local Village Agent. Call 01823 331 222 or complete this short form here and someone will be in touch:

We don't want you to choose between heating or food, and your Village Agent can help with both. Please do get in touch.

Festive Listings – What's on this December in your area?!

We are so pleased to be able to bring you our annual Christmas Festive Listings – pre covid time these were always so popular, as it's the only place that gathers details of all community events going on across the WHOLE of Somerset. Check out what's on in your area here:

If you have an event that you would like to add please email hannah@somersetrcc.org.uk as these will be updated weekly.