“I would give them 10 out of 10 for everything,” said Mary Pio about Healthy Homes Ealing, which offers free advice on staying warm in the winter and cutting fuel bills.

She found out about the council-run service through the warden at her sheltered housing complex in Ealing. The service has a free hotline all year round.

Extremes of weather, hot or cold, can have a detrimental effect on someone’s health. This is particularly the case for those who are elderly, very young, ill or infirm. By providing advice and support, Healthy Homes Ealing hopes to show residents what they can do in their own homes to save money while also staying warm, well and independent.

Vulnerable residents could qualify, depending on eligibility, for a ‘green doctor’ home visit. These provide tailored advice and support; and sometimes provide free energy efficiency measures, or items for staying warm or cool. Where necessary, in-depth fuel debt advice can also be given.

Mary was visited by green doctors and she told us she was ‘very happy’ after being helped with her energy and water tariffs, having had a reflector panel fitted to a radiator and being given long-lasting and cheaper-to-run LED bulbs to light three key parts of her home. She also received a fan to keep her cool in the summer and some thermal gloves, hat and socks for the colder months.

The green doctors also referred Mary to the Neighbourly Care befriending service that works with older people around the borough to help prevent isolation and encourage independent living.

She said: “All of their advice was very useful and will save me some money, and I’m so thankful for the things they’ve given me.

“I’m really grateful for the referral to the other services, too. I had been very anxious before and now feel much more at ease and like the support.”

MORE INFORMATION

Call Healthy Homes Ealing on 0800 083 2265 (free) Monday-Friday, 9am-5.30pm, or use the online referral form at www.ealing.gov.uk/HealthyHomesEaling