Surviving Winter 2023/24

The Surviving Winter campaign has been running since 2010, supporting elderly and vulnerable people keep warm and safe during the winter months.

About Surviving Winter

We’ve reached that time of year when the clocks go back, the nights draw in and we prepare for the colder months ahead. Winter can be a happy, uplifting time full of cheer and expectation but for many people living in Wiltshire and Swindon it will be dark, dispiriting and dangerous.

For thousands of people in our county living in fuel poverty their winter preparations will be accompanied by a feeling of dread and worry over how they will keep themselves and their loved ones warm and safe. That is why we are asking for your support for our 13th annual Surviving Winter campaign.


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30,000
Households in Wiltshire & Swindon live in fuel poverty
1 in 10
Households in Wiltshire and Swindon can't afford to heat their homes
100s
Of people in Wiltshire die each year because they cannot heat their homes.

The need

It is estimated that 30,000 households in Wiltshire and Swindon live in fuel poverty, meaning they cannot afford to heat their home properly through the coldest months of the year.

NHS statistics show that hundreds people in Wiltshire and Swindon die each year simply because of cold homes. Most people who suffer premature winter-related death are over 65 and 75% of these deaths are due to the impact the cold has on respiratory and circulatory conditions.

This year the situation is likely to be worse due to the energy crisis and the impact it is having on fuel bills this winter. It comes at a time when food prices and other household costs are also going up, leaving the elderly and vulnerable on low incomes in our county under more pressure than ever before.

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The Response

In response to this increased need we will again be working with partners Age UK Wiltshire, Warm and Safe Wiltshire, Wiltshire and Swindon Citizens Advice and Wiltshire Centre for Independent Living to support elderly and vulnerable people in our local community. 

Our partners will address people’s immediate needs through grants to pay energy bills, advice on making their homes more energy efficient, help with applying for benefits they may not ever have known they were entitled and practical support including food and clothing. 

Last year, thanks to the generosity of our supporters we were able to help over 3,000 people across almost 1,900 households. 

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How you can help

If you are in a position to pass on some of your Winter Fuel Allowance or just wish to donate we can redirect it to where it is needed most, helping to support vulnerable local people at a time of crisis.

We will be hugely appreciative of any amount you feel able to give. You can donate by card by phone by calling 01380 738989 or online using the button below.

Together we can make a real difference to the lives of vulnerable people in our communities.

Thank you for your support.

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Worried about your energy bills?

If you are of pensionable age or​ have a long-term health condition which is exacerbated by the cold weather and are on a low income you may be eligible for support through our Surviving Winter programme.

To find out more please contact:

Age UK Wiltshire if you are of pensionable age on 0808 1962424

or

Warm and Safe Wiltshire if you are working age on 0800 0385722