Feeling the warmth of our support.

MB, 89, feels the warmth of our support.

Heaters and warm packs supplied to some of the most vulnerable and most in need people in Bradford District. 

Age UK Bradford District’s Support Worker Amy Griffiths has been in contact with MB since before the pandemic, with regular phone conversations during lockdown and visits to her at home now they’re permitted.

It was through their conversations that Amy heard how MB feels the cold and just can’t get warm. She lives in a rural setting and her house is cold, which makes the arthritis in her hands much worse.

Amy organised a heater and warm pack (gloves, hat, socks, blanket and a hot water bottle) to be delivered to help MB stay warm in her house.

Age UK Bradford District offer support as part of the Warm Homes Healthy People project, providing contributions to boiler repairs, free heaters and warm packs through the Winter months.

Amy tells us that MB immediately felt the benefits when she received her heater, as the weather turned cold.

“She thanked us for the heater, and has been using it regularly including today as she had it switched on whilst I was with her. She hasn't mentioned feeling cold since I delivered this heater to her.”

We spoke to MB on starting to feel her age, living alone in rural Bradford District and living in a cold house.

“Because I am on my own and quite lonely, I am getting really run down with everything. It’s quite an unhappy time really. ”

“It is a struggle, as you get older you do feel the cold much more. I didn’t really worry much before but its suddenly hitting me now. I actually feel my age. If I make it to March I’ll be 90.”

“I’ve always loved the moors. My new house is on the moors, by a farm. I always used to love walking but that’s getting much harder. This house is much colder than my old one”.

She then talked about the difference it has made receiving the heater and warm pack from Age UK Bradford District, as part of the Warm Homes Healthy People project.

“Yes, it’s made quite a difference. In fact it’s on now with me in the kitchen. It’s keeping me warm and it’s quite good! I wasn’t aware you offered these to people, it came out of the blue and it’s great.”

The recent power cuts in Storm Arwen affected MB as she lost power for 2 days.

“Everything was cut off and I was shivering and cold. A friend took me to the chapel where the heating was on, and I was still shivering for a while there too.”

The first thing she did when power was returned was to turn on her new heater to feel the benefits as soon as possible.

“I can’t stand the cold, I can stand a lot of heat, but not the cold. The warmth when you are older is really good and it’s important to keep warm.”

Kindness at Christmas

We are seeing a huge increase in demand to support older people in Bradford District to help them stay warm in Winter. This Christmas, many older people will struggle to pay bills and some wont have enough money to keep themselves and their homes warm as energy prices rise. We are asking for your support.

Donate to show Kindness at Christmas, thank you.