Fuel poverty affects people across Wiltshire More than a million pounds will be dispersed across Wiltshire this winter to help ensure people are kept safe, well and warm. The Government’s £170 million national COVID Winter Grant Scheme was made available this month to support people with the cost of food, energy, water bills and other essentials. Wiltshire Council was awarded £1,107,932.98 and will be supporting charities such as the Wiltshire Community Foundation. Cllr Philip Whitehead, Leader of Wiltshire Council, said: “Winter can be a tough time for some people, even more so after the events of this year, so we welcome this extra support.
Age UK Wiltshire has received £5,000 to go towards using digital technology to combat loneliness. Retain Healthcare donated the money to assist with the charity s ‘Click & Connect’ project. that identifies older people in the county who would benefit from the use of technology, and who are keen to embrace this technology to improve their lives. Through the programme Age UK Wiltshire will identify suitable equipment, internet access and technical ability and also signpost to any grants or state benefits that a customer could apply for and to support them with an application. David Trowbridge, Managing Director of Retain, said: “Social isolation is known to have a large impact in a person’s overall health and wellbeing, and so by helping to combat this we hope to see a knock-on effect on the rest their lives too.
Alex Joll, of the Free Range Cafe in Trowbridge, is to serve free dinners on Christmas Day in the Town Hall Photo: Trevor Porter 66581-1 AROUND 40 people have so far booked for a traditional Christmas Day dinner in Trowbridge being provided at the Old Town Hall. The Free Range Cafe run by local businessman Alex Joll has offered to provide free turkey dinners for up to 60-80 people. Mr Joll said: This year Wiltshire Council are not providing a free Christmas lunch for the needy at the County Hall, as they normally would, due to Covid. Therefore the Free Range Cafe has decided to fill the gap.
Alex Joll, of the Free Range Cafe in Trowbridge, is to serve free dinners on Christmas Day in the Town Hall Photo: Trevor Porter 66581-1 AROUND 40 people have so far booked for a traditional Christmas Day dinner in Trowbridge being provided at the Old Town Hall. The Free Range Cafe run by local businessman Alex Joll has offered to provide free turkey dinners for up to 60-80 people. Mr Joll said: This year Wiltshire Council are not providing a free Christmas lunch for the needy at the County Hall, as they normally would, due to Covid. Therefore the Free Range Cafe has decided to fill the gap.