warm places for the elderly to go to because they are not getting the winter fuel payment

I am sitting in about 45 degrees fahrenheit at the moment.
It was the same in the bedroom on rising.
But I am OK.
I will put heating on about 7.30 until about midnight.
It rises to about 58 degrees at the moment.
Maybe have a shallow bath to warm up.
Have a lot of unavoidable outgoings at the moment.
Am sitting here across a 2 seater with 6 layers on top half also gloves hat and snood.
It must be difficult for older or disabled people.
I would urge them to put the heating on and hang the cost.
It's hardly a luxury frivolous expenditure.
Get into debt if need be.
Make sure they are on the priority services register.
Those who don't have much heating are sensible to go elsewhere if they can.
Else maybe purchase oil filled radiator and big hoody.
Poundstretcher have them for 15 pound currently.

Does your friend's neighbour have a timer on her boiler, surfingsal?

If so, could your friend set it for her to come on at, say, 4pm? The cost of fuel has gone down so the neighbour should be reassured that she can put thd heating on.

A man was supposed to be working in my garden today, but as it was barely above freezing, I suggested he come when it is warmer, as I do not want to be responsible for his hypothermia.

When it is in minus figures, I leave the heating on low overnight, as paying that cost would be cheaper than replacing burst pipes.

Keir and Rachel have a lot to answer for but neither cares.

I’m not downplaying the WFA being removed, but for balance I’m aware in the last two previous winters pensioners have struggled with heating costs, and the phrase “eating or heating” has been around for a good few years.

I would urge ALL pensions to keep their heating on 24/7 in the very cold weather, turning it right down overnight, and if they have separate thermostats on every radiator, turn them right down to 1 in the rooms not often used.

Allira

Does your friend's neighbour have a timer on her boiler, surfingsal?

If so, could your friend set it for her to come on at, say, 4pm? The cost of fuel has gone down so the neighbour should be reassured that she can put thd heating on.

My friend and her husband are both going round to her house tomorrow to see whether she has a timer etc , their problem is trying to convince her not to worry about the money they have sat and talked her and she says other people she talks to in the village hall do the same as her and turn their heating of when they are out, my friend said her house was so cold they think she would have got hypothermia had she stayed the night there , she is tucked up in bed in my friends house for tonight but what about the other people who are going home to very cold houses !

They need to have a bit more common sense than to let themselves get so cold.

It's deplorable.

Tonight is forecast to be -5. I've had my heating on all day as my grandson has been at home poorly but goodness knows what our next bill will be.

It's awful. It's worrying . I'm sure many will be heading to Asda for soup, a roll and limitless tea and coffee for £1 for over 60s.

Kate1949
Thanks for that useful information re Asda.
It's good they are doing that.

Surfingsal.. can you persuade her to get a heated throw?. Yes its a big outlay but they cost pennies to run and would keep her safely warm in the evenings, even if the room temperature is low.

Ilovecheese

They need to have a bit more common sense than to let themselves get so cold.

Very sympathetic comment, I don’t think! How harsh!

Libraries are warm and you can take ages to choose books or sit and read them.

Both our local libraries were shut in the last four years. Sold off for housing development. I feel genuinely sorry for any vulnerable people needing a warm place round here.

I think all the reporting about the WFA is frightening people. At the end of the day if you make monthly payments to spread the cost over the year a couple of very cold weeks won't be that much on a monthly basis. We've also had some mild weeks so that will also help.

'Warm Banks' are places were those finding it hard to stay warm at home can go to sit during the day without feeling awkward about it. Could be a church, a community hall, library, or other public space. People can just sit there and nobody will bother them.
They were started to counter the cost of living crisis. Just google warm banks to find out where they are near you if you need a warm space during the day.

Ilovecheese

They need to have a bit more common sense than to let themselves get so cold.

Seriously?

There were warm spaces last year.
There are food banks.

It's £4 a week.

Fleur20

Surfingsal.. can you persuade her to get a heated throw?. Yes its a big outlay but they cost pennies to run and would keep her safely warm in the evenings, even if the room temperature is low.

We have these are really toasty, and tbh we didn't pay that much for them, am imagining they will be reduced right now in the Jan sales as well. Some are really expensive but there are more affordable ones.

Cossy

I’m not downplaying the WFA being removed, but for balance I’m aware in the last two previous winters pensioners have struggled with heating costs, and the phrase “eating or heating” has been around for a good few years.

I would urge ALL pensions to keep their heating on 24/7 in the very cold weather, turning it right down overnight, and if they have separate thermostats on every radiator, turn them right down to 1 in the rooms not often used.

We don't have the radiator on in our bedroom and don't keep the heating on all night. I wouldn't say everyone should do the same but we don't feel cold at night.

surfingsal

Allira

Does your friend's neighbour have a timer on her boiler, surfingsal?

If so, could your friend set it for her to come on at, say, 4pm? The cost of fuel has gone down so the neighbour should be reassured that she can put thd heating on.

My friend and her husband are both going round to her house tomorrow to see whether she has a timer etc , their problem is trying to convince her not to worry about the money they have sat and talked her and she says other people she talks to in the village hall do the same as her and turn their heating of when they are out, my friend said her house was so cold they think she would have got hypothermia had she stayed the night there , she is tucked up in bed in my friends house for tonight but what about the other people who are going home to very cold houses !

Oh dear. It's sad that so many people are so worried about heating costs but help is available.

She'd be better turning down the thermostat when she goes out to keep the place just warm as it probably takes more energy to warm it up from very cold if she turns it off.

Ilovecheese

They need to have a bit more common sense than to let themselves get so cold.

Isn't the danger with hypothermia, that if someone's sitting in the cold in one postion for a long time, they don't realise how cold they're getting and then once their body temperature starts falling, it makes them sleepy?

I don't think people conciously let themselves get cold, it's important to make sure you get up & make a drink or have a snack regularly ( or just change position) because that's when you realise you need to put the heating or a fire on.

www.warmwelcome.uk/find-a-space

Here are some options.

Many Churches have warming spaces.

Charleygirl5

A man was supposed to be working in my garden today, but as it was barely above freezing, I suggested he come when it is warmer, as I do not want to be responsible for his hypothermia.

When it is in minus figures, I leave the heating on low overnight, as paying that cost would be cheaper than replacing burst pipes.

Keir and Rachel have a lot to answer for but neither cares.

They do have a lot to answer for and do not care. I feel so angry about this, not for myself but for others. Meanwhile MPs are claiming huge winter heating allowances.