Hitting the Cold Spots Project

This service supports the Hitting the Cold Spots Project It is acknowledged that the impact of cold weather on health is predictable and mostly preventable. Those at greatest risk of its effects include the over 75 years of age (especially those living alone), young children, people living in deprived circumstances and from marginalised groups.

Hitting The Cold Spots is Hampshire County Council’s response to the guidelines and recommendations of the Cold Weather Plan for England 2012 in order to reduce the number of people who die from the effects of cold weather and to reduce the impact of fuel poverty particularly during the winter months. The scheme is in line with the principals and recommendations of the Cold Weather Plan for England 2014 and the Fuel Poverty Strategy for England published in 2014.

The project, which is available across the Hampshire County Council administrative area, is supported by a broad range of both statutory and voluntary sector partners, with their own wide networks of contacts that enabled the project to reach into the community to the most vulnerable. All 11 district/borough councils are also active partners in the project.

The service provider will be expected to provide suitably experienced staff to offer advice and support to vulnerable residents living in fuel poverty, both via a telephone service and through a range of other channels. They will also be responsible for successfully managing the installation of practical heating and energy efficiency interventions into resident’s homes, including emergency heating grants and services. The provider will be experienced in successfully identifying and securing additional funding, both for the project as a whole and to assist individuals with the installation of practical measures.