Winter warmer support for local residents

From next week residents living in the Morton area of Carlisle who are aged 75 years or older will be able to receive a free winter ‘survival kit’.

The packs include items, which would useful in the event of extreme weather, including information from Age Concern, the Cumbria Energy Efficiency Centre and Benefits Advice Service, a torch, gloves, insulating blanket, transistor radio, Tescos’ vouchers and course salt (for gritting). Proof of age may be requested.

They will be distributed during a series of drop-in roadshows next week:

• Monday, 10 December - 10am - 12noon - Newlaithes Avenue Post Office, Newlaithes Avenue
• Monday, 10 December - 1pm - 3.30pm - Border Terrier car park, Newlaithes Avenue
• Tuesday, 11 December - 1pm - 3.30pm - Royal Scot car park, Langrigg Road
• Wednesday, 12 December - 10am - 12noon - Stonegarth shops, Stonegarth
• Wednesday, 12 December - 1pm - 3.30pm - Morton Community Centre car park, Wigton Road
• Thursday, 13 December - 1pm - 3.30pm - Newlaithes shops, Newlaithes Avenue

Organised by the Carlisle Partnership Healthy Communities and Older People Priority Group, the public events have been arranged by Carlisle City Council after they received grant funding from the Department of Health.

The group is chaired by Jenni Payne, Assistant Director of Public Health (North) who said:

"It is estimated that there around 650 households within the Morton area could be eligible for the Keep Warm, Keep Safe packs as there is a high proportion of elderly residents with significant health problems. We hope that they take up the offer of support and attend one of the roadshows."

Members of the Carlisle Partnership Healthy Communities and Older People Group include Carlisle Leisure, Cumbria Primary Care Trust, Carlisle Housing Association, Age Concern, Carlisle City Council, Cumbria County Council, Cumbria Sport, Job Centre Plus, NW Ambulance Service and the NHS Trust.