Hertfordshire County Council have put together lots of information on available resources to get practical help during the cold winter months…

Cold weather health advice

We’ve put together a few top tips to help you protect yourself and others from the effects of cold weather.

From drawing curtains at dusk to keep out draughts, to having at least one hot meal a day, plenty of hot drinks and using a hot water bottle or electric blanket to keep warm (but never both at the same time), there are a few things you can do to minimise your risk.

Find out more HERE: https://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/about-the-council/news/news-archive/be-ready-for-cold-weather

Please check in on anyone who may struggle in cold weather

Please protect yourself as much as possible from the cold conditions and check on others who may be struggling, such as older people and those with underlying health conditions.

If you are finding it difficult to heat your home, or someone you know is struggling to stay warm at home or needs help to get shopping or medicines, please contact HertsHelp on 0300 123 4044 or follow the link HERE.                 

If you are concerned about the health of yourself or someone else, please call NHS 111, contact your GP or get advice from your local pharmacy.

Come in from the cold
Our online directory of ‘warm spaces’ allows you to find libraries, family centres and community spaces near you where you can stay safe and warm this winter. Lots of the venues will be hosting additional activities, including Age UK Hertfordshire’s ‘Winter Fuel Support Roadshows’ where people impacted by the changes to the Winter Fuel Payment can access expert support and advice. You see this directory HERE.

In our local area, you can find:

The 3 Churches Benefice Coffee Morning
The Wilshere Hall, St Andrew’s Church, Cappell Lane, Stanstead Abbotts,
9.00–11.00am, Every Monday

Come and share a cuppa and a fun activity in our free, warm and welcoming space.

The 3 Churches Benefice Community Hub Drop-In
St Mary’s Church, Hoddesdon Road, St Margarets
10.30–11.30am, Every Wednesday

Open to anyone who needs a cuppa and a chat, practical help or just a safe space.

Get financial support
If you are worried about money, or you are in debt, help is available.

Citizens Advice can give you help and support. You may also be able to get help from the government with energy bills, transport, childcare and household costs. Never ignore bills.

Visit www.hertscitizensadvice.org.uk, call 0800 144 8848 or follow the link below for more cost of living advice.

If you are in immediate financial crisis, you may be able to apply for help from the Hertfordshire Welfare Assistance Service. You will need to meet certain criteria to qualify for help and you can only apply once every three months.

The payment is designed to help you if:

• you don’t have enough money to meet your, or your family’s, immediate needs after an emergency or disaster

• you think there will be serious damage or risk to your, or your family’s, health or safety without the payment

• there is no other help available to you.

Find out more about the Hertfordshire Welfare Assistance Service and view the eligibility criteria here.

Winter Welfare visits
Another free scheme we’re working with Age UK Hertfordshire to deliver is the Winter Welfare Visits scheme.

A ‘handyperson’ service can help with the following:
• Provide and install radiator reflector strips to maximise heat dispersion
• Provide and install draught excluders for doors and windows to reduce heat loss
• Provide and install energy efficient bulbs and night lights
• Provide an electric blanket or a winter duvet (single size only)
• Provide a Warm in Winter bag
• Help to take meter readings and set heating timings and thermostats
• Hang winter curtains (already owned or purchased by client)

For more information contact chris.skrabski@ageukherts.org.uk, call 07903 429743 or visit the link below.

Source: Hertfordshire County Council

Memory Support Hertfordshire is a newly launched community service providing local connection, support, information, and advice for everyone affected by dementia and Mild Cognitive Impairment.

Building on the strong foundations of Hertfordshire’s existing locally embedded community support services, the addition of a new information and development service will provide a welcome route for people to access support and guidance more quickly and easily.

A helpline, an email service and in-person drop-in hubs will ensure people are able to find out what they want to know, as well as support people to find and access the full range of community-based, health and social care support available in county.

Anyone interested in becoming more dementia friendly or aware will now have a point of contact to help guide them and support their development. The service will also work with partners and professionals to help them to signpost and refer more easily to available support, and over time, together we will ensure that the full scope of Hertfordshire-based resources are visible and available at www.memorysupportherts.org.uk.

Adding to the existing highly valued groups and direct support already available, there will be more opportunities to learn about living with dementia, additional specialist support for people living with Young Onset Dementia and more support for friends and family members who care for someone with dementia. All types of dementia and Mild Cognitive Impairment are supported, and a formal diagnosis is not necessary to be able to use the service.

Funded by Hertfordshire County Council and the NHS and delivered in partnership by Age UK Hertfordshire, Carers in Hertfordshire and Alzheimer’s Society, Memory Support Hertfordshire is committed to improving support available to people affected by dementia and is aligned to the Hertfordshire Dementia Strategy.

We want Hertfordshire to be a place where people affected by dementia have access to timely, skilled, and well-coordinated support from diagnosis to end of life, which helps achieve the outcomes that matter to them. According to figures from the NHS, there are more than 14,500 people living in Hertfordshire with a diagnosis of dementia and we know that this is only due to rise. Memory Support Hertfordshire aims to make it easier for people needing support around memory loss and dementia to find and access the full range of information and support available. The service has been co-produced by people who currently use existing dementia support services, so that the varied support on offer meets their needs.
Councillor Tony Kingsbury, Executive Member for Adult Care, Health and Wellbeing at Hertfordshire County Council

Key information:

• Helpline: 0300 131 3946 (open Monday to Friday 9am–4pm)
• Email: info@memorysupportherts.org.uk
• Website: memorysupportherts.org.uk
• Online referral form for professionals on website

Source: Hertfordshire County Council