By Geraldine Begg, SFHA Technology Enabled Care in Housing (TECH) Programme Co-ordinator
SFHA’s strategic partner Changeworks is keen to support members operating in the Highlands to take advantage of the NHS Highland third sector funding call for small-scale three-year projects by scoping a partnership approach to tackling fuel poverty health impacts, supporting people with long term health conditions through a project that delivers preventative or early intervention approaches.
As you will be aware, the Highlands has some of the highest levels of fuel poverty in the country – with a third of people living in cold homes or with unaffordable high bills and energy debt (25% average in Scotland). This increases to half of the people in social housing (Scottish House Condition Survey, 2016-18). Living in a cold home can make you ill. People with long term health conditions are particularly vulnerable, with the cold, increasing risk of heart and respiratory conditions and worsening arthritis and rheumatism. In addition, the cold and anxiety of high energy costs can negatively impact mental health. Working together, we can avoid these impacts.
The deadline for applications is Wednesday 14 July, with funding being available to support projects commencing Friday 1 April 2022.
Please contact Amanda Palmer, Senior Development Officer at Changeworks asap (by Friday 2 July), who can co-ordinate an application.
For further information, attached is a one-page overview of the fund, the fund advert, and a general overview of Changeworks affordable warmth support.
This work would offer a natural progression for any members involved in SFHA’s new Healthier Homes Initiative, which runs until Thursday 31 March 2022. It will be engaging with members, tenants and homeowners across Scotland regarding the relationship between home and health and how digital technologies can contribute to homes, services, and behaviours that enable people to live warm and well at home.
