An important new appeal launches this week to support young and old in B&NES and across the West of England through winter.

The Surviving Winter Appeal has been launched by Quartet Community Foundation to support local charities whose work helps local people experiencing fuel poverty, isolation and acute financial pressures during winter.

Quartet Community Foundation has been running the annual Surviving Winter appeal for a decade. It calls on those who feel they can afford it to donate their Winter Fuel Payment, or to make a financial contribution, to help local vulnerable people. Last winter alone this appeal raised over £16,000 for local projects.

This year, as the government warns of a difficult winter ahead, Quartet Community Foundation is conscious of the additional pressures on local charities and the people who rely on them. Many households who were already struggling to make ends meet are facing a perfect storm as fuel and food prices rise just as incomes are squeezed further. It’s going to be a very difficult Christmas for many local households.

In response Quartet is expanding the Surviving Winter appeal to benefit even more people, including struggling families as well as the many thousands of local older people in need.

The money raised through this year’s Surviving Winter appeal will enable Quartet to direct grants to local charities in B&NES and across the West of England addressing fuel poverty, isolation and financial pressures over winter.

Benefited 90+ community projects tackling fuel poverty and isolation over the last decade

Since 2011 the Surviving Winter appeal for the West of England has awarded grants to more than 90 local community projects helping vulnerable local people tackle fuel poverty, isolation and financial issues.

Recent Surviving Winter appeals have benefited voluntary groups and charitable organisations in B&NES including:

Carers Centre B&NES received a Surviving Winter grant to help them provide additional support. This includes more telephone support to older carers who experienced social isolation during Covid 19.

Bath & District CAB received a grant to supplement a Winter fuel poverty funding pot to benefit people aged 60+.

The West Of England Rural Network received a grant for their Community Oil Buying Scheme. Free membership of the oil buying scheme helps many older residents ensure they are getting the best price for their fuel, which helps them stay warm and well in winter.

One grant last year, to the Centre for Sustainable Energy (CSE), helped them support elderly residents who were struggling with winter bills and expenses. They offered a combination of grants and advice on how to save energy, and signposted the older people to financial assistance such as the warm home discount, water bill discount, or benefit increase. With rising food and fuel prices, some of their elderly clients were finding it increasingly difficult to heat and eat. Thanks to this grant to CSE, instead of having to choose between heating and eating, the older people could do both.

This includes people like Mr O. Mr O, 70 years old, was suffering with cancer and living on a very limited budget. He couldn’t afford to eat the healthy diet recommended by his doctor or heat every room in his house. He was referred to CSE by the local food bank. They not only helped him increase his income but also save money by lowering his energy bills.

A difficult winter for many

As we head into Winter, so many people in Bath and North East Somerset face difficult choices including whether to heat or eat. The long dark winter evenings can make people feel even more isolated and alone.

Suzanne Rolt, CEO Quartet Community Foundation: “It’s so often those with the least who bear the brunt of these crises. This could be working families who were just about keeping their heads above water before the fuel price hike came along and now have to choose between food or heating; or older people coping with health issues who always struggle to heat their homes as temperatures start to drop.

“Over the last 18 months we’ve seen just how effective local organisations can be in responding at speed to a major crisis, offering support to the people we live alongside.

“We plan to work hand in hand with the fantastic local charities, community groups and voluntary organisations across B&NES, Bristol, North Somerset and South Glos to provide vital support in our communities.

“To do this we need your help. So we’re asking people to consider donating their Winter Fuel Payment, or to make a one-off donation, to help make a real difference to so many vulnerable people this winter.

“Thank you for the support.”

Donate to the Surviving Winter appeal: https://quartetcf.org.uk/donate-now/