We were thrilled to join several partners in signing our new Affordable Warmth Charter which was launched at our Warm and Well event earlier this month.

Held in Barnsley Market, the event highlighted what's on offer for our residents to keep warm and well this winter in light of rising energy costs and the cost of living. 

Partners across the borough were on hand to engage with residents, including Berneslai Homes, Wates, South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue, Age UK Barnsley, and DIAL.

It was a productive day as our Warm Homes team registered 21 new applications for grants for heating and insulation, as well as having many productive conversations with residents on making their homes warmer and cheaper to run.

A total of 32 people got their blood pressure checked as part of our How's Thi Ticker campaign, while 72 vaccines were administered at a pop-up COVID-19 autumn booster clinic, helping people boost their immunity this winter. Councillor Sarah-Jane Tattersall, Mayor of Barnsley, was the happy recipient of a blood pressure check and her autumn booster!

The Affordable Warmth Charter, recommended to Cabinet in October, will help organisations work together to share knowledge, expertise and resources on tackling the health inequalities caused by fuel poverty and help make sure residents live in warm, healthy, energy-efficient homes.

Partners are encouraged to sign up and pledge using one or more of the five key priorities - energy-efficient homes, affordable energy, employment, education and skills, partnership working and low-carbon commitments. By doing this, they commit to sharing knowledge, expertise and resources to tackle the health inequalities caused by fuel poverty and help make sure residents live in warm, healthy, energy-efficient homes.

Councillor Robert Frost, Cabinet spokesperson for Regeneration and Culture, signed the Affordable Warmth Charter on our behalf. We thank Amanda Garrard, Chief Executive of Berneslai Homes, Tony Wright of South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and Steve Cartwright of Wates Group for signing the Affordable Warmth Charter for their respective organisations.

Councillor Frost said: "I was proud to be one of the first people signing the Affordable Warmth Charter on behalf of the Council, and it was fantastic to see some of our partners making the pledge too.

"I want to thank the stallholders for their attendance and continued efforts in supporting our residents. The work they do is invaluable and does not go unnoticed.

"If you could not attend on the day but want to explore available support, I encourage you to speak to our Warm Homes team. They can check your eligibility for heating and insulation grants and provide further advice on staying warm and well in what we know will be a difficult winter for many.

"I also recommend reading our keep warm and well leaflet, which contains plenty of top tips and helpful information on the support available through the winter."

More information on staying well this winter is available on our website.

To get in touch with our Warm Homes team about making your home warmer and cheaper to run, go to barnsley.gov.uk/warmhomes or call 01226 77 33 66.

To learn more about the Affordable Warmth Charter or register your interest in signing it, please visit the Affordable Warmth Charter webpage.

Find all the information and support you need to help with the rising cost of living at barnsley.gov.uk/mmiyp.