Efficiency North team members were delighted to visit 4 local groups in Hull on Tuesday 13 December to deliver the first round of funded items granted through Hull City Council’s Winter Warmth Community Grants Scheme.
The council and partners launched the scheme offering grants to community groups to help people keep warm and healthy through the winter at the end of October. Efficiency North backed the scheme with a donation of £33,000 funding of Social Value Credits generated from the council’s work with their specialist procurement arm EN:Procure. The scheme is also backed by Fortem.
There was a huge response to the scheme launch with a total of 71 applications received. The 30 groups receiving grants were chosen because of their support for the most vulnerable people in the city.
Beneficiaries of the grants include groups supporting disabled children and their families, elderly residents, and refugees. The fund is supporting projects including provision of warm clothing banks, running activities in a designated Warm Space, and providing microwave ovens or slow cookers. Projects are expected to run to the end of March 2023.
The 4 projects the team visited included Matthew’s Hub, a charity that supports neurodiverse people. They will be installing energy saving measures such as radiator foils and LED lightbulbs in the homes of their service users. St Phillips on Amethyst Road is providing a warm space in the church with activities. The Warren took delivery of goods to help support their project working with young people, teaching them how to cook on a budget with low-cost ingredients using methods that save on energy consumption. St Alban church on Hall Road is also offering a warm space with activities.
Cllr Mike Ross, Leader of Hull City Council said, “It’s a terrible situation that people in our city are facing cold and rising costs this winter. Although these projects do not solve the problem, they are a way of reaching some of those who might not approach the council directly for help. These projects help them save on energy and reduce their everyday costs.”
Simeon Perry, Head of Efficiency North’s charity arm EN:Able Communities CIO said, “Efficiency North is honoured to back this scheme and help keep Hull communities warm this winter. Well done to all the local groups who have stepped up to help. It’s been fantastic to meet some of them and find out more about how they’re supporting their communities through this extremely challenging time. We're planning on carrying on with our help until the end of March. It's people and the wider community that we're seeking to support this winter - there's no better way of doing that than supporting small, local organisations."
Kath Trotter, Service Manager at Matthew's Hub said, “People with autism are finding the cost of living crisis especially difficult, with only around 16 per cent of them in work on average. Their heating bills have gone up and they were already finding it hard to navigate the system. Many are left struggling to manage on Universal Credit. Communication is a difficulty for them, they struggle when they have to go to the Job Centre and explain what their needs are. We support them through that, but things are going to get tougher for them, particularly after Christmas. because many of them find it hard to budget.”
PICTURED ABOVE are the St Phillips community receiving their electric blankets with Cllr Sharron Belcher of Mayfleet Ward on the far left, next to Kia McPherson, Pioneer Evangelist at St Phillips and Simeon Perry beside the Christmas tree.
Other businesses wishing to help the community this winter can donate via the Leader’s Fund. Contact sandy.dodson@hullcc.gov.uk
Cllr Haroldo Herrera-Richmond for St Andrews and Docklands (4th left), Stella Munthali, Racial Inclusion Officer (front centre), and Efficiency North and EN:Procure independent board director Nigel Leighton (3rd right) with young people at The Warren Youth Project.