Keeping your house warm

Many families are finding it difficult to keep their home warm. 

Living in a cold and damp home can lead to:

  • more respiratory infections
  • higher levels of asthma
  • effects on mental health such as depression
  • slower growth and development for children
  • less money to spend on food
  • family stress

How to save energy

 

  • turn off standby appliances such as your TV at the wall
  • turn down your thermostat
  • turn off heating in rooms you are not using
  • switch off lights when you leave a room
  • fill kettles only with the water you need
  • put a lid on pans when cooking
  • slow cookers and microwaves are the most efficient cooking methods. Gas hobs are more energy efficient compared to electric hobs
  • wash clothes at a lower temperature
  • if you have one make sure your water immersion heater is not on all day
  • be smarter about hot water use. Use a washing up bowl instead of running a tap. Reduce shower time
  • draw your curtains at dusk to stop draughts and heat loss
  • fit radiator foil behind radiators on external walls
  • move furniture away from radiators and heaters
  • draught proof your property. Use draught excluders. Seal cracks in floors and skirting boards. Block unused chimneys. Line your letterbox
  • monitor your energy use

More home energy saving tips.

https://www.turn2us.org.uk/How can I get help?

If you are spending a large amount of your household income on energy bills because you are on a low income or have a low energy efficient home you may qualify for benefits, grants and help offered by the government and energy suppliers.

If you’re living in social housing, contact your housing association or local authority in the first instance. If you’re renting privately or own your home, these services might be able to help:

If anyone in your household is receiving benefits speak to your energy supplier about help available. The Energy Company Obligation scheme supports energy efficiency improvements.

Energy Saving Trust and Simple Energy Advice (freephone: 0800 444202) have more information.

Warm home discount scheme

The warm home discount scheme is a one off discount of up to £140 off your energy bill over winter. Your energy supplier needs to participate in the scheme for you to get the discount. If you are on a low income you may qualify. Contact your energy supplier as soon as possible. There are a limited number of discounts each winter. Your energy supplier can tell you how to apply.

Cold weather payments

This is a government scheme which gives eligible people £25 for every 7 days the temperature is 0 degrees C or below between 1st November and 31st March. You may qualify if you receive:

  • income support
  • income based job seeker’s allowance
  • income related employment and support allowance
  • universal credit
  • pension credit

If you qualify it should be paid automatically and does not effect your other benefits. You can check your eligibility using a benefit calculator.

Further help and support

Turn 2 Us is a national charity that helps people who are struggling financially.

Citizens Advice is a network of independent charities who offer free and confidential advice online, over the phone and in person.

British Gas Energy Trust offers energy grants to customers and non-customers. Visit the website or call them on 0121 348 7797

Simple ways to save water at home 

MoneyHelper has advice on what to do if you are worried about your energy bills rising 

Where should you seek help?

A&E departments provide vital care for life-threatening emergencies, such as loss of consciousness, suspected heart attacks, breathing difficulties, or severe bleeding that cannot be stopped. If you’re not sure it’s an emergency, call 111 for advice.

Sound advice

  1. Many visits to A&E and calls to 999 could be resolved by any other NHS services.
  2. If your child's condition is not critical, choose another service to get them the best possible treatment.
  3. Help your child to understand – watch this video with them about going to A&E or riding in an ambulance

If you’re not sure which NHS service you need, call 111. An adviser will ask you questions to assess your symptoms and then give you the advice you need, or direct you straightaway to the best service for you in your area.

Sound advice

Use NHS 111 if you are unsure what to do next, have any questions about a condition or treatment or require information about local health services.

For information on common childhood illnesses go to What is wrong with my child?

GPs assess, treat and manage a whole range of health problems. They also provide health education, give vaccinations and carry out simple surgical procedures. Your GP will arrange a referral to a hospital specialist should you need it.

Sound advice

You have a choice of service:

  1. Doctors/GPs can treat many illnesses that do not warrant a visit to A&E.
  2. Help your child to understand – watch this video with them about visiting the GP or going to a walk in centre

For information on common childhood illnesses go to What is wrong with my child?

School nurses care for children and young people, aged 5-19, and their families, to ensure their health needs are supported within their school and community. They work closely with education staff and other agencies to support parents, carers and the children and young people, with physical and/or emotional health needs.

Contacting the School Nurse

Some primary and secondary schools may have an allocated school nurse, however this can vary depending on the area  – telephone your child’s school to ask for the contact details of your school nursing team.

There is also a specialist nurse who works with families who choose to educate their children at home.

North Cumbria

Northumberland

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Newcastle

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South Tyneside

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County Durham

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Middlesbrough

Redcar and Cleveland

Sound Advice

Before your child starts school your health visitor will meet with the school nursing team to transfer their care to the school nursing service. The school nursing team consists of a school nursing lead, specialist public health practitioners and school health staff nurses.

They all have a role in preventing disease and promoting health and wellbeing, by:-

  • encouraging healthier lifestyles
  • giving information, advice and support to children, young people and their families
  • supporting children with complex health needs

Each member of the team has links with many other professionals who also work with children including community paediatricians, child and adolescent mental health teams, health visitors and speech and language therapists. The school health nursing service also forms part of the multi-agency services for children, young people and families where there are child protection or safeguarding issues.

Health visitors are nurses or midwives who are passionate about promoting healthy lifestyles and preventing illness through the delivery of the Healthy Child Programme. They work with you through your pregnancy up until your child is ready to start school.

Health Visitors can also make referrals for you to other health professionals for example hearing or vision concerns or to the Community Paediatricians or to the child and adolescent mental health services.

Contact them by phoning your Health Visitor Team or local Children’s Centre.

North Cumbria

Northumberland

North Tyneside

Newcastle

Gateshead

South Tyneside

Sunderland

County Durham

Darlington

Hartlepool

Stockton

Middlesbrough

Redcar and Cleveland

Sound advice

Health visitors also provide advice, support and guidance in caring for your child, including:

  • Breastfeeding, weaning and healthy eating
  • Exercise, hygiene and safety
  • Your child’s growth and development
  • Emotional health and wellbeing, including postnatal depression
  • Safety in the home
  • Stopping smoking
  • Contraception and sexual health
  • Sleep and behaviour management (including temper tantrums!)
  • Toilet training
  • Minor illnesses

For more information watch the video: What does a health visitor do?

Pharmacists are experts in many aspects of healthcare and can offer advice on a wide range of long-term conditions and common illnesses such as coughs, colds and stomach upsets. You don’t need an appointment and many have private consultation areas, so they are a good first port of call. Your pharmacist will say if you need further medical attention.

Sound advice

  1. Visit a pharmacy if your child is ill, but does not need to see a GP.
  2. Remember that if your child's condition gets worse, you should seek further medical advice immediately.
  3. Help your child to understand - watch this video with them about going to the pharmacy.

For information on common childhood illnesses go to What is wrong with my child?

Self-care

You can treat your child's very minor illnesses and injuries at home.

Some illnesses can be treated in your own home with support and advice from the services listed when required, using the recommended medicines and getting plenty of rest.

Sound advice

Children can recover from illness quickly but also can become more poorly quickly; it is important to seek further advice if a child's condition gets worse.

For information on common childhood illnesses go to What is wrong with my child?

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