WITH wintry weather and gale force winds forecast over the next few days – Dudley Council’s winter warmth service is offering help to residents across the borough to keep their homes warm.

The council’s winter warmth service, which has run for the past three winters, offers advice, help and practical support to anyone struggling to heat their home when temperatures drop – particularly the elderly and vulnerable.

Anyone concerned about keeping their home warm, having difficulty with paying their fuel bills or worried about keeping well at home during the cold weather can ask for help from the service.

Councillor Gaye Partridge, Dudley’s cabinet member for housing, said: “Every year we have people who are ill or lose their lives because of the cold weather. This worsens when the weather is extremely cold. I urge anyone concerned about a cold home – whether their own, or a neighbour and family members to contact the winter warmth service for help. There is no reason for people to suffer from living in a cold home, advice and real support is on hand from the service.”

Since the service re-launched last October, it has helped almost 400 households to keep warm.

Portable heaters, blankets and hot water bottles have been issued, people have been assisted with energy debts and helped to switch to the best energy supplier and tariff for their circumstances.

Residents have also been helped with applications to the warm homes discount, which helps people with their winter fuel bills, and to energy trust funds.

The winter warmth support helpline number is 01384 817086.