Vulnerable Hackney residents offered debt assistance, low-cost handy person and befriending scheme
Peter and Tom Smith - Credit: Archant
Vulnerable residents are being offered debt assistance, a low-cost handy person, a befriending scheme and advice on reducing fuel bills during the cold winter months.
Hackney Council’s SHINE (Seasonal Health Interventions Network) is a one-stop-shop targeting residents aged over 75, those with respiratory or cardiovascular disease and low income families with children under five.
Peter Smith, 62, lives in Dalston and is a full-time carer for his brother Tom, who has cancer and other health problems including poor mobility.
Mr Smith was in £400 arrears with last year’s winter gas bill when he contacted Hackney SHINE, which offered advice on how to cut down his consumption and become more energy efficient, as well as help making an application to the British Gas Trust Fund which awarded him £450.
Mr Smith said: ”The gas bill was crippling me and every month it kept shooting up. We couldn’t not have our heating on because of my brother’s illness.
You may also want to watch:
“I just wanted something to help me out of debt and Hackney SHINE made it all so easy, it’s defiantly worth contacting them.
“The price of a phone call saved me £400 and meant we could heat our house without worrying.”
Most Read
- 1 Clapton: Hunt for metal pole after man badly injured
- 2 Man wanted after alleged sexual offence in Hackney
- 3 Hundreds arrested after police crackdown on county lines
- 4 How Hackney are you? Try our quiz
- 5 Drug dealer jailed for murder of Jay John after Dalston attack
- 6 The top FIVE Halloween events in Hackney and Islington
- 7 Morning Lane council homes only possible 'if flats are sold' - says mayor
- 8 Aldi Local to open in Dalston next month
- 9 Parents protest plan to close children's centres in Hackney
- 10 Two taken to hospital and driver arrested after car flips in Hackney
For more information call 0800 281 768 or email shine@hackney.gov.uk.
