Cyngor Gwynedd urges people to take care over the winter

Cyngor Gwynedd has created a booklet which contains practical information, financial support and useful contact details, aimed at helping people get through the long winter months.

 

Bad weather combined with the cost-of-living crisis can create an extremely challenging situation for many people, especially those who are vulnerable because of their age, a health condition or because they are isolated.

 

The information pack is designed to point people in the right direction regarding support which they may be eligible for and ways of preventing difficult situations from spiralling into a crisis.

 

Both printed copies and a digital version of the information pack are available, and it includes details such as:

• Support if people need help to heat their homes, including information about the financial support available to tackle the effects of fuel poverty;
• Relevant public service contact details;
• Details of benefits and other financial assistance for which people may qualify;
• ‘Croeso Cynnes’ / ‘Warm Welcome' venues (warm banks), which are community schemes offering people somewhere warm and safe to meet for a chat.

 

Councillor Nia Jeffreys, Cyngor Gwynedd Deputy Leader and the Cabinet Member who leads on poverty prevention at Cyngor Gwynedd, said:

 

“Helping people cope with the effects of the cost-of-living crisis is a priority for us here at Cyngor Gwynedd, so I'm delighted that this information pack is available. I am confident it will contribute towards helping keep people safe and secure.

 

“With the long winter stretching ahead of us, I know it will be a difficult time for lots of people within our county. The combination of high energy costs, the current economic situation, the type of home that many people have within this area and the high percentage of older residents means that many people in Gwynedd are very vulnerable at this time of year.

 

"I would encourage people to keep an eye out for a copy of the information pack, either for themselves, a family member or a neighbour. There are small steps we can all take to keep ourselves safe and healthy.”

 

The booklet is available from:

• An electronic version is available on Cyngor Gwynedd’s website: www.gwynedd.llyw.cymru/winter and click on the “Support and advice for older people” box;
• Paper copies are available at county’s libraries – a list of locations and opening hours is available here: www.gwynedd.llyw.cymru/library;
• Paper copies are also available at Gwynedd Community Hubs – a list of locations and further information is available on the website: www.gwynedd.llyw.cymru/CostOfLivingHelp and selecting “Further support and community hubs”.  

 

This information booklet is in addition to the practical information on how to prepare for the effects of severe weather, which is also on Cyngor Gwynedd's website: www.gwynedd.llyw.cymru/winter  

 

These pages can be saved as favourites on your computer/tablet/phone and referred back to in the future as needed.

 

Councillor Nia Jeffreys added: “As well as making sure you have a copy of the booklet, I would urge local people to look out for further information about benefits they may qualify for and practical advice on the Council's website and social media accounts.

 

"Our officers also attend community events and hold face-to-face sessions which is an opportunity to talk to people of all ages and backgrounds about what support is available."