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  Mr. Smith, 71, from Chewton Road, Walthamstow lives alone. Following a stay in hospital, he was due to be discharged to his home and the care of social services. However his social worker was concerned that his poor housing would be detrimental to his health and could lead to him being re-admitted to hospital.

The main problem was the home was un-heated, very draughty and potentially prone to burglaries as security was minimal. Social services contacted HEET, which - via the Safe and Warm Homes project - visited the house and planned and implemented a program of work to improve it.

HEET fitted a new central heating system, draught proofing to all doors and windows and fitted cavity wall insulation. To increase security HEET replaced the back door and upgraded security overall.

This activity enabled Mr. Smith's discharge from hospital into a comfortable home, which aided his recovery.

A National Home Energy Rating survey found that HEET's work improved the energy rating of Mr. Smith's home from 2.5 to 7.1. This means he can keep his house warm significantly more easily and affordably than previously. The estimated saving for the house is £380 per annum, according to energy efficiency modeling.

HEET's improvements also represent a cost saving to the NHS as Mr Smith is now able to live independently out of hospital. The social worker was pleased at being able to improve her client's living conditions quickly and easily and positively effect a long-term change to his health prognosis. Mr. Smith said: "everything was handled quickly and professionally and life saving changes were made to my property. Without HEET I would not be able to continue living in my home."

To maintain confidentiality, Mr Smith is a fictional name.

 
London Development Agency London Borough of Waltham Forest
 
  Safe and Warm
 
  HEET worker preparing to install insulation in a house in Walthamstow.
 
           
 


Fuel poverty and substandard housing are closely linked with lower standards of living and even death. In Walthamstow fuel poverty is 50 per cent worse than the national average affecting one third of the borough's population. An estimated 552 extra premature cold-related deaths occurred in the Walthamstow constituency in the period 1999 - 2002.

Safe and Warm - part of the Home Energy Efficiency Training (HEET) project - is a NOW funded initiative that aims to raise awareness and tackle issues of poor quality, damp and cold homes occupied by vulnerable Walthamstow residents.

The Safe & Warm team work with local health visitors, social workers and others who regularly visit the homes of vulnerable people. These people help HEET to identify households where cold and damp living conditions are impacting on a person's health. They also help to identify households that are vulnerable or fearful of burglary - older, housebound and disabled people are often targeted by thieves.

If any of the poor home issues are identified, HEET visits the house, upgrades the insulation and installs anti-burglary measures.

HEET received over £41,000 of NOW Funding for the Safe and Warm initiative between October 2003 and March 2005. During this time, NOW funding enabled:

99 households to receive energy efficiency heating and/or measures to reduce condensation/damp
   
61 households were deemed to need - and were given - a security upgrade to help prevent burglaries.

NOW funding has enabled HEET to demonstrate its capacity to deliver effective home repairs and heating projects that benefit those most at risk in the community. This activity has attracted the attention of private and other public funders who are looking to support and expand HEET's activities in the area. This includes extending the Safe and Warm project.

Anyone who is interested in HEET's work and the Safe and Warm initiative should contact the HEET team. HEET also address the following issues across the area:

Fuel Poverty - providing practical energy saving help to low income households
   
Residential burglaries - improving the security of homes
   
Unemployment - training local people in construction and insulation skills
   
Greenhouse gas emissions - improving the energy efficiency of housing in the area

 
  Contact information
 
   
Contact: Tom Ruxton
Address: HEET, c/o Marsh Street & Trinity URC, 58 Orford Road, Walthamstow,
London E17 9QL
Telephone: (020) 8520 1900
Fax: (020) 8520 4554
Email: theheetproject@hotmail.com
   
  Useful weblinks
 
 
Energy Saving Trust
www.est.org.uk
National Energy Agency
www.nea.org.uk
Energy Action Grants Agency
www.eaga.co.uk
Odd Jobs
www.quakersocialaction.com
Forest Recycling Project
www.frponline.org.uk