| It’s been a long time in the planning, but with the imminent onset of cold weather and dark nights, Sedgefield Locality’s plans for winter are now in full swing. As always, the locality team sees itself as the principal contact for many older people and with this in mind, we designed a project to ensure that older people have as much relevant information as possible to keep them both warm and well.
Winter Warmth Packs
Due to their success in other localities it was decided to repeat the Winter Warmth packs for the first time in Sedgefield. We have included a copy of the NHS “Keep Warm Keep Well” leaflet which offers older people good advice on keeping fit and well during the winter period. A leaflet introducing SESAW, Sedgefield Borough Council’s energy advice scheme will offer information on heating the house for less and the best contacts for enquiries regarding current grants for home improvements with regard to energy conservation. Also included in the pack are a carbon monoxide detector and a room thermometer. Known as the silent killer, carbon monoxide is particularly devastating because people are completely unaware of its presence. With a working life of 3 months, the detectors should be placed near to gas appliances and will indicate any problems that there might be by changing colour.
Contact Details:
Mike Bridge, Sedgefield Locality Development Worker
Email mike.bridge@ageconcern-durham.org.uk
Telephone 01388 720064
 Age Concern volunteer Harold Hibbert who has had a “hands on” part in assembling the packs said,
“These pamphlets are of interest and importance to older people. If we look at the leaflets and carry out the suggestions in them, then we will benefit from the information, after all it is most important that we manage to keep warm over the winter months”
The packs will be distributed through Age Concern’s Handyvan Scheme which goes out to the over 60’s as well as from their office in Chilton. If anyone is interested in receiving a free pack then they should get in touch with the locality team on 01388 720064
Note
Winter Warmth Packs are part of Age Concerns’ Ageing Well programme, which is funded by Sedgefield Primary Care Trust. The programme offers people over the age of 50 healthy options under the banner “Adding years to life, adding life to years”
AGE CONCERN DURHAM COUNTY (SEDGEFIELD  LOCALITY OFFICE) Age Concern Durham County (Sedgefield Locality Office) working in partnership with Durham County Council and Carelink, are distributing 700 reflective “See Me” bags to older people in Sedgefield Borough.
The heavy-duty shopping bags are designed to be used during the winter months when the weather is bad, to help drivers see older people. The bags have been well designed with a wide handle to spread the load, a substantial base and a reflective strip which will reflect headlights from cars to make the drivers aware that there is a pedestrian ahead.
With the bag comes a leaflet that offers advice for people to keep safe when walking, as many pedestrians are killed or injured on familiar roads during their everyday journeys.
Simple advice such as allowing plenty of time for journeys, planning a route to use safer crossings, and using the “See Me” bags will hopefully reduce the numbers of pedestrians hurt on local roads.
The bags are being distributed through Carelink and to clients of Age Concern’s Handyvan Scheme.
Contact Details: 01388 720064 |
