Keeping Warm This Winter
Priority Services Register
The Priority Services Register is a free service to help people who have additional needs. It’s available to customers in England, Scotland and Wales. You can sign up by contacting your local network operator and energy supplier. Each keeps their own register.
Who is eligible?
You are eligible to register if you:
have reached state pension age
are disabled or have a long-term medical condition
are recovering from an injury
have a hearing or sight condition
have a mental health condition
are pregnant or have young children
have extra communication needs.
You may also be eligible for other reasons, for example if you need short-term support after being in hospital.
It’s best to contact your network operator to check. And once you have registered, it’s important to keep your supplier or network operator updated if your circumstances change.
Select from the network operator logos below to find out more for your area. If you’re not sure who your operator is, use our network operator search tool.
Warm spaces in corby
With a cost of living & climate crisis, many of us are facing tough decisions. Some of us have moved to working from home following the pandemic and are facing a winter with increased energy bills. Others are facing even harder decisions about whether to heat or eat.
Churches, voluntary organisations and community groups are working together to establish a network of warm spaces across Corby this winter. These include libraries, community centres, church buildings and other places offering a warm welcome and free to use for anyone struggling to heat their home.
Some venues will also offer hot drinks, activities, and other services such as free Wi-Fi. Warm spaces will be heated, safe and friendly places where you can comfortably spend time reading, working, studying or chatting with others.
These warm spaces are now open and all locations can be found to the left.
Warm Spaces in North Northamptonshire
The community in North Northamptonshire are also opening their doors and offering warm spaces for those in need. There are various locations around the Northamptonshire area, and they can all be found on the North Northamptonshire website, which you can access by clicking here.
Consumer Rights Grants Portal
Sadly, there have been a number of scams and cold callers that are approaching vulnerable people regarding insulation and boiler repairs. This new online portal allows allows anyone to check if they qualify for government-funded upgrades, such as loft, cavity wall and solid wall insulation, and boiler replacement or repair options from ECO4 Grants. It's simple to use and takes less than 2 minutes. to check and see if you qualify, you can find the portal by clicking here.
Tips for keeping warm this winter
It’s no secret that a lot of people will be struggling to keep warm this winter due to the cost of living crisis, so on this page are some helpful tips to stay warm during the winter months.
Wrap up warm
Dress in layers and wear a hat, gloves and scarf. Clothes made from wool, cotton or fleecy fabrics are warmest. When you're indoors, wear warm socks and slippers to keep your feet toasty and warm.
Keep the heat in
Keep doors and windows closed, and use a keyhole cover to block draughts. If possible, consider buying thermal linings for curtains to keep the heat in. If this isn’t an option, hanging a blanket or curtain over door frames will act as a draught excluder.
Check your heating system
Have your heating system serviced regularly to make sure it works well and is running efficiently.
Try to maintain the temperature as best you can
If you're able to, keep your main living room at 18–21°C (64–70°F) and the rest of your house at 16°C (61°F) at least. If you can’t heat all the rooms you use, heat the living room during the day and the bedroom just before you go to sleep. In bed, use either a hot water bottle or an electric blanket.
Have warming food and drinks
Have regular hot drinks and food such as porridge, soups and stews.
Stay active
Keep as active as you possibly can to boost your circulation. Move around at least once an hour and avoid sitting still for long periods. Even light exercise will help keep you warm. When you do sit down, if you’re able to, put your feet up as it’s coldest nearest the ground.
Check what support you could be eligible for
Do some research on benefits that you could be eligible for. Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to get Winter Fuel or Cold Weather Payments automatically. If you don't, visit gov.uk/winter-fuel-payment or call 0800 731 0160 to see if you’re eligible. For more information, call the Energy Saving Advice Service or visit gov.uk/energy-company-obligation.
Finding warm spaces
Northamptonshire council are working with local partners in the voluntary and community sector to create a network of Warm Spaces, a group of non-judgemental, safe and welcoming places where people in West Northamptonshire can come together to stay warm, and perhaps enjoy a hot meal or a cup of tea and a biscuit.
They have created a directory of all the places available to residents across the public, private, health and voluntary sectors so that anyone who is cold knows where they can go to stay warm and enjoy a little company and some hot refreshments this winter. For a list of all the spaces around the Northamptonshire area, please click here. There is also a map of all the spaces which can be found below.