Trust commits £10k funding to “life changing” Joint Heating Project
The St Monica Trust has contributed a further £10,000 in funding to a Joint Heating Project to help older people keep their homes heated this winter.
Since April 2021, the St Monica Trust and The Anchor Society have been running a joint project to provide grants to replace or repair heating such as gas boilers or electric storage heaters. In total, with the additional £10,000 in funding for 2024, the St Monica Trust has contributed £40,000 to the project, which has been matched by The Anchor Society.
“Life changing” funding
Access to proper heating for older people is more than just a comfort - it's a necessity. The funding is critical and provides essential support for older people in difficult times, particularly during the ongoing cost of living crisis. One person who had been without heating and hot water for many months said:
Having hot water and heat has made a great difference to my life. I cannot thank you enough. I was resigned to the fact that I would have to manage without heat or hot water until your kind offer to replace it. The boiler has been life changing for me. Thank you so much.
A referrer to our Joint Heating Project said: “Adequate heating helps prevent cold-related health problems that can disproportionately affect the elderly, such as respiratory issues, joint stiffness, and an increased risk of falls."
The St Monica Trust’s Head of Charitable Giving, Catherine Robinson said: “The Joint Heating Project helps improve older people’s well-being and supports one of St Monica Trust’s aims of giving older people choice by helping people live as independently as possible. With adequate heating they can do so, safe and comfortable in their own homes.”
Applications are made by principal referrers, such as the Centre for Sustainable Energy and WE Care Home Improvements, on behalf of households who are really struggling and can’t afford anything towards their heating repairs or replacements.
Charitable Giving
The St Monica Trust has been supporting the lives of older people in Bristol and the surrounding area since it was established more than 100 years ago.
The Trust’s Charitable Giving Team helps tackle a variety of issues by distributing hundreds of thousands of pounds to individuals, families and organisations across Bristol, South Gloucestershire, North Somerset and Bath & North-East Somerset.
Catherine Robinson, said: “The St Monica Trust are delighted to continue this partnership fund with The Anchor Society.
“The importance of adequate heating on older people’s quality of life and well-being cannot be understated, which is why we are proud to be a part of this vital project.”
To apply for a grant, please click here and further information can be found at https://www.anchorsociety.co.uk/grants/.