The Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Winter Wellbeing project

“One of the most significant, yet least recognised factors causing death and Illness…” Health : 40,000 long term health issues 9,000 social care, secondary care & VCS 2,400 emergency hospital admissions 300 extra deaths Preventable

Extra demands on health services Result – emergency admissions and re- admissions to acute, secondary and primary care Cardiovascular diseases Respiratory illnesses Hypothermia Flu, pneumonia, gastroenteritis Falls and injuries Mental and social health Depression, anxiety and stress Carbon monoxide poisoning AND reduced weight gain in infants; Asthma in children Impeded ability to learn Pre-existing conditions made worse - arthritis and rheumatism, depression and dementia, chronic lung diseases, heart attacks and strokes in older people

“Every Winter is a public health emergency..” …Our (DECC) work into the health benefits arising from tackling fuel poverty gives a clear indication of how efforts in one area have benefits elsewhere..” Ed Davey MP Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, July 2013

Fuel Poverty – 100,000

Homes – Mainland and Islands Higher energy costs and lowest incomes : 6 in 10 homes hard to keep warm & dry 53% of homes off mains gas, dual fuels – Cornwall 100% off gas grid – Isles of Scilly More dependent on expensive warmth – oil, LPG, coal

Economy & Poverty 23,000 long term worklessness 16,000 children in poverty High cost of living Lower than average incomes

Fuel Poverty is bad for health Long term unemployment is bad for health; – 23,000 long term worklessness – 16,000 children in poverty Low income is bad for health; – 300 Extra Winter Deaths, – 20% population in Fuel Poverty – Higher energy costs and lowest incomes Poor housing is bad for health; – Cold Weather “One of the most significant, yet least recognised factors causing death and Illness…” NHS Cold Weather Plan – Cold, damp mouldy homes – poor health and economic outcomes

“Prevention, before escalation Many causes - We can resolve in partnership Cold weather planning Action cards Winter Wellness Glow Cornwall Risk groups Very young Older people People with pre-existing medical conditions Health, housing, economic issues that put them at risk 100,000 in fuel poverty

Fuel Poverty and Public Health – Securing Warm Homes Healthy People Funding

Winter Wellbeing Advice Service Freephone advice line Triage point to access broad range of services Home assessments Provision for rough sleepers 68 nights consecutive accommodation Solutions for rough sleepers

Financial Support Grants up to £500 Cash payments up to £50 Emergency Assistance Emergency heaters and fuel Keep warm boxes Emergency heating repairs Winter Wellbeing

Guides & Postcards Emergency Fund: – Heaters, Coal, Oil, Electric Blankets – Key meter top ups – Boiler repairs – Debt payment – Keep Warm Boxes Quick fixes – and…

Winter Wellbeing Longer term solutions: Insulation (benefits are significant) New and repaired heating systems Tariffs renegotiated Income improved Referrals : meals on wheels, independent living advice, loft clearance Move back into work (Inclusion Cornwall)

Winter Flu and Home Checks

Main approach Big partnership – helpful in gaining access to those in need Central point of contact (CEP) for anyone in need, regardless of reason Referral fee of £15 / referral Paying CEP & CAB for home visits Emergency support conditional on home visit

Managing the programme Getting access to clients – many already supported by various groups Launch event – all partners showcasing Freephone number – if someone’s in need, call it! £15/referral to CEP (freephone no. or postcard)

2011/12 – 2012/13 Service Number helped through freephone no (1500 total) Emergency Fund payments Referrals to CEP helpline97510 Referrals from CEP helpline to other partners (1015 total) Home visits48432

Interesting facts… 50% of referrals dealt with by more than one organisation Only 3% of those that received emergency support in 2011/12 received support again in 2012/13 We are delivering long term solutions.

Fuel Poverty, Health & Work Outcomes 150 homes insulated & improved heating for next Winter + signposting ECO funding for next winter 126 long term workless families with Children – signed up for Cornwall Works support and to begin progress to work 1500 households stayed warm and able to cook/eat to help their health

Homeless Block booking of bed nights at homeless shelter enabling groups to work with the homeless (drug & alcohol support, etc) 2011/12 97 people helped 43 people put into permanent accommodation 2012/13 41 people helped 20 now in accommodation

Joined up Funding Warm Homes, Healthy People £222k Cornwall Works 50+ (European Social Fund) £30k Cornwall Council £10k NHS Cornwall & Isles of Scilly £10k DECC Local Authority Funds £331k Foundations Warm Homes Funding £5k Cornwall Community Foundation £8k Total of £616k to spend by 31 st March 2013 !

Is it affecting my health & well being? 46% worried that cold or damp is affecting my health 80% had health conditions, worsened by cold, damp homes, made worse by worrying about the situation and financial worry 86% worried about cost of heating 66% sometimes go without heating 53% damp, mould and condensation Source : 338 Winter Wellness Emergency Fund applicants 2012/13

Improving Well being Unique: linked health and work Inclusion Cornwall Hub and European Social Fund Cornwall Together – idea conceived by Eden

Winter Wellness is about the 3Q’s – Improving the Quantity and Quality of life – Closing the IneQualities gap

Is it affecting my health & well being? “a huge difference mentally and physically, I am able to function, keep my independence and continue giving back to my community as a volunteer” “ The service made a huge difference to myself and my children as it was a very cold weather and we had no heating or hot water as oil had run out and we had no funds to purchase any. We have a problem with damp in the property and being so cold aggravated my daughter’s asthma” “ My lack of worrying about heating bills … helped me fight repeated chest infections..” “A great improvement to our comfort and well being” “My daughter now wants to sleep at home.. We are together as a family again…”

Winter Wellness is good for health Reducing Fuel Poverty – Insulation, improved heating systems – Cheaper tariffs Improved health – physical and mental well being improved – less worry – less call on all health, care and VCS services – Better start in life for children – warmer homes for families & older people Progress to work – Moving back to labour market – Improved incomes, confidence and aspiration – Better able to manage bills, price increases Improves the community’s health and wealth – Small interventions – Big outcomes – Cornwall Together, linked with Winter Wellness – Money in people’s pockets – feel better and healthier

Conclusions Tackling poverty Fuel costs critical – and something we can help Tackling fuel poverty gives access to people with range of needs One contact number for all referrals Join up funding streams and partners to provide comprehensive service Small interventions – Big outcomes Result - Improved wider quality of life issues

Contacts Nicola McCheyne Community Energy Plus Anthony Ball Tackling Inequalities Coordinator