Upper Norwood Library Trust
The Upper Norwood Library Trust is a charity based at the Upper Norwood Library in Crystal Palace. As well as working closely with Lambeth library services, the Trust delivers outreach services to inform and empower our community, and we’re pleased to be sharing information with ccha residents this month.
This winter, we’re working in partnership with the Southern Gas Network and the Centre for Sustainable Energy to share advice about staying safe and warm. With temperatures dropping, and the cost of living crisis ongoing, many people are worried about heating their homes this winter.
Many households are on a low income and cannot afford to heat their home for a reasonable cost. Estimates suggest that 6.1 million households in the UK are living this way. There are health risks associated with living in a cold home. Existing health conditions can be exacerbated, and the cold can even cause new health issues such as raised blood pressure. Therefore, there’s an important balance between keeping costs down and minimising the negative impacts of living in a cold home.
Our top energy tips:
- Use rugs, curtains and draught excluders to reduce draughts in your home. Draughts can use over 15% of your heating budget.
- Keep furniture away from walls, to reduce condensation that can lead to damp and mould.
- A heated blanket costs just 2.7 pence an hour to run.
If you’re struggling with your energy bills and staying warm, please contact the Upper Norwood Library Trust for an appointment to discuss your circumstances. They can help you understand your energy bill, speak to your provider, and research alternative tariffs.
They can also help you apply for discount schemes and grants. Please email Madeleine, our outreach assistant, on madeleine.prior@unlt.org or call the office on 0207 926 1063 and ask for an energy advice appointment.