The Healthy Homes project was created to ensure that people in Frome who are at risk of cold homes get the support they need. There is also a range of support available for installing energy efficiency measures including grant schemes and low interest loans.
Cold and damp homes are bad for physical and mental health. Problems linked to the cold range from blood pressure increases and common colds, to heart attacks and pneumonia. Living in a home that is draughty and loses heat through uninsulated windows, walls and roofs also leads to households paying too much for their heating and increasing their carbon footprint.
As part of the project, Frome Medical Practice’s staff have been writing to patients who may require support and referring them to the Centre for Sustainable Energy’s (CSE) free and impartial energy advice service. We know that GPs are some of the most trusted figures in our community so hope that contacting people in this way will encourage them to take up the offer of support.
Throughout 2023 we will also be holding drop-in advice sessions in locations around Frome in partnership with CSE.
Thanks to funding from Frome Renewable Energy Co-operative our Energy Advice Champions are now able to visit the most vulnerable residents to help install simple energy efficiency measures such as draught proofing, thermal curtains, radiator panels and set their heating controls correctly.
Healthy Homes is a partnership between Frome Town Council, Frome Medical Practice and the Centre for Sustainable Energy (CSE) as part of the National Lottery funded Green and Healthy Future Programme.
