Fiona Gibson, a Warmer Homes participant.

Within Newtownabbey many households are having to spend more than 10% of their income on household fuel costs. Living in a cold, damp house has a significant impact on the health and social well-being of the population and is an underlying cause of many of the respiratory illnesses, strokes and cardiovascular diseases being treated in hospitals.

Those most vulnerable from the cold are older people, people with a disability or chronic health issues, young children and babies.

The Warmer Homes Group for Newtownabbey consists of representatives from a range of statutory, voluntary and community organisations. These include Newtownabbey Borough Council, Citizens Advice Bureau, Northern Ireland Housing Executive, Newtownabbey Senior Citizens Forum, Abbey Sure Start, the Northern Trust and the Northern Investing for Health Partnership.

Work of the group includes promoting grant schemes to householders to improve the energy efficiency of their homes, promoting the Council’s Oil Stamp Saving Scheme and providing information for local residents on energy efficiency.