npower’s Health Through Warmth scheme in Swindon today celebrated it’s success since it launched in 2008, during which time it has helped more than 300 local residents with cold and damp related illnesses.

Health Through Warmth is managed locally by Ridgeway Care & Repair in partnership with Swindon Borough Council, NHS Swindon and the Energy Saving Trust advice centre and helps vulnerable people whose health is made worse by cold, damp living conditions, by facilitating the appropriate installation of insulation and heating measures.

In recognition of the scheme’s success, a special event was held with speeches from Anne Snelgrove MP, Swindon South; Councillor David Renard, Cabinet Member for Health, Housing and Adult Social Care; Emily Leggett, Account Manager from Macmillan Cancer Support; Cherry Jones, Acting Assistant Director of Public Health, Swindon Primary Care Trust; Katie Chesher, Head of Ridgeway Care & Repair and Helen Bonner, Health Through Warmth Co-ordinator for Swindon and Alison Cole, Corporate Communications Director, RWE npower.

Anne Snelgrove, MP for Swindon South, commented: “Health Through Warmth is a fantastic scheme that provides an invaluable resource for residents in the Swindon community. In the short time that the scheme has been available, it has helped hundreds of people in the area and this event has been a great way to thank the scheme for all it’s done so far.

“More importantly, today is about community workers and local residents finding out more about the benefits the scheme could offer. Many vulnerable people in Swindon may have inadequate heating and/or insulation but are unsure about who to turn to for help. We’re encouraging local residents to contact the scheme if they think they may be eligible for assistance.”

Ed Milliband, Labour's Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, added: “Can I offer my congratulations on all the hard work done by you and the people of Swindon.”

Patrick McLoughlin, a 54 year old man from Swindon who has been helped by Health Through Warmth attended the event to talk about the assistance he received from the scheme.

Patrick’s boiler was condemned in summer 2009, leaving him without heating. Although this did not affect him during the warmer months, Patrick soon found himself spending more time at home, and as the winter weather set in, the colder conditions in his home started to, aggravate his osteoarthritis.

Patrick was referred to the scheme by Ridgeway Care & Repair and Health Through Warmth arranged for a brand new boiler to be fitted. As Patrick was formerly a member of the armed forces, the scheme contacted the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association, known as SSAFA Forces Help, which sourced funding from The Royal British Legion and The Royal Naval Benevolent Trust. The balance was paid from the unique npower Health Through Warmth Crisis Fund.

Patrick comments: “I am relieved and grateful that Health Through Warmth was able to provide me with a new boiler. After being made redundant in 2009 I was spending a lot of time at home and the cold conditions were having an adverse effect on my osteoarthritis. It’s fantastic that there is a scheme like Health Through Warmth available for local Swindon residents and I’d also like to thank SSAFA, the British Legion and the RMBT for their contributions. I’m having a double hip replacement operation in a couple of weeks and although more cold weather is predicted, I can now return back to a warm home to recover.”

Representatives from charities and local organisations as well as community workers from the area attended to hear about the benefits the scheme could offer to the people they encounter on a day-to-day basis.

Since the scheme was first launched in Swindon, Health Through Warmth has facilitated more than £250,000 worth of heating and insulation measures for local residents, and £39,000 has been accessed from the unique npower Health Through Warmth Crisis Fund.

For more information about Health Through Warmth and for free impartial advice, please call your Swindon based Energy Saving Trust advice centre, on free phone 0800 512 012 or visit www.healththroughwarmth.com