Keep warm and save money this winter

A community landlord has teamed up with a Staffordshire-based charity to help its customers keep warm whilst saving money over the winter months.

Stafford and Rural Homes (SARH) is working with Stoke-based Beat the Cold to help promote the charity’s Warmer Homes Stafford Scheme, to ensure vulnerable customers stay safe and healthy this winter.

Sandra Shipperley, SARH Customer Liaison Officer, explained: “Many people believe that being cold is just uncomfortable, but it can also be very bad for your health.

“Sitting or sleeping in the cold can increase the risk of a heart attack, stroke or breathing problems.

“At SARH we want to do all we can to ensure our vulnerable customers, including the elderly, disabled and families with young children, stay safe this winter whilst a few simple tips should help everyone to save a little on their heating bills.”

Simple steps you can take to keep warm, safe and healthy include: • Heat the room that you use, turn radiators down or off and keep the doors shut on rooms that do not need to be heated. • Wear a few layers of thin clothing rather than one thick layer • Use draft excluders and make sure windows and doors are closed. • Turn the heating down or use the timer option if you are not home, and also at night time when everyone is tucked up in bed.

Beat the Cold is also working with the housing association’s Money Advice team to help people get the most from their energy supplier. This may include checking you are on the right tariff, switching off unused electrical equipment, using low-energy light bulbs or even switching supplier.

Karen Armitage, SARH Chief Executive, added: “Through partnerships such as the one we have with Warmer Homes we aim to help our customers, and the wider community, to stay safe whilst helping their budgets to stretch a little further.

“As a responsible, community-based landlord this is a key part of our mission to help build better communities at the same time as providing affordable homes to meet local needs.”

You can learn more money-saving tips and information about staying warm this winter by picking up a Warmer Homes Stafford leaflet from the housing association’s offices on Stafford Technology Park or visiting the website at www.sarh.co.uk.