Trust offers support to families in need

FAMILIES in need are being given a helping hand just in time for Christmas.

Halton Housing Trust has been able to use surplus funds to help families and older people heat their homes and fill their fridges over the winter months.

They have provided £100 gas and electricity card top-ups for four customers and £250 supermarket vouchers for a further four customers.

Customer Involvement Officer Debbie Jameson said: “This is always a difficult time of year with rising bills and Christmas to pay for; budgets are stretched to the limit.

“No matter how careful we are with money, sometimes people find themselves in difficulties through no fault of their own and just need a helping hand.”
 
The funds were from the Affordable Warmth campaign budget and it was decided they would be used to give extra help to those worrying about the cost of winter bills and food.

The Trust’s welfare support officers, who visit people’s homes to help them manage their budgets, were able to identify those most in need.

“People have been really overwhelmed because they have been so worried and this money will help take the pressure off,” said Debbie.

“We are so pleased we have been able to ease a little bit of stress from people’s lives during the Christmas season.”
The Affordable Warmth campaign ran across October and November.  As part of the campaign there was a prize draw for £250 which was won by Gillian Ogden, Widnes.
Welfare support officers visited 113 homes in Runcorn and Widnes making sure residents are on the most efficient energy tariffs and claiming all the benefits they are entitled to, potentially saving customers more than £20,000 on their bills.