Over the last few months at Harbour, we have been putting together and distributing warm packs to help people on low income reduce their energy bills after receiving funding from National Grid’s Community Matters Fund to help people in the community to combat fuel poverty. We have been distributing two different types of packs depending on whether people have gas or electric heating. All contain fleece blankets, draft excluders, LED light bulbs, thermal curtains, and socket timers. The gas packs contain radiator foil and radiator bleed keys, and the electric one comes with an electric blanket. The purpose of the items is to either provide more cost-effective ways of keeping warm or reducing bills through energy-saving alternatives.
We have teamed up with local partners to help get the packs to those who need them. St Blazey Recycle, Reuse and Resale, St Austell Community Kitchen (STAK), Daisy Dukes, DISC Newquay and Bill Davies the Community Maker for mid-Cornwall from Volunteer Cornwall have all received packs to give to those across the local area.
Bill helped to distribute the warm packs to those in the Restormel region. He said, “It’s always great to work in partnership with organisations like Harbour who are giving back. It’s fantastic to be able to get these packs, which are so useful and will benefit people, to those who need it the most that wouldn’t be able to access it otherwise. It’s a good example of something simple that has benefited so many people, that can be replicated again and again. A little bit of kindness makes such a big difference.”
Harbour Housing’s Operations Director Malcolm Putko explained, “The packs have flown out the door, which unfortunately shows the level of need in the area. It has been great to be able to work alongside various other community groups to help out in this way. Feedback from recipients has been overwhelmingly positive, one even said, “It saved my life.” This just goes to show how relatively simple items can make such a difference.”
Malcolm continued, “A big thank you to all who helped getting these packs to those who need them as well as National Grid for this funding. We hope there are more funding opportunities similar to this in the future, as this is not an issue which is going to go away overnight.”
We have decided to set up a donation appeal so we can put together more packs to help low-income individuals and families in our community continue to fight against fuel poverty. If you would like to donate to this appeal, please click here.
14th November
Thank you to the community in St Ervan!
19th May
Last year, Tim Styles, cycled from Land’s End to John o’ Groats unsupported in under five days. Next month, he is going one better: Land’s End to John o’ Groats AND back down to Land's End!
16th March
Harbour's trainee clinical psychologist placement student has started peer supervision sessions with Harbour staff.
14th March
Read about the EVA Recovery Programme supporting survivors of domestic abuse and sexual violence at Harbour.
7th March
We are delighted to announce we have set up a Care Quality Commission (CQC) registered care service!
8th November
It’s almost that time of year – Christmas. The time of year for the gift of giving.
This year, have you considered giving a gift to someone for whom Christmas might be a bit less merry than usual?
