As the cold weather sets in, Havering Council has once again launched its winter wellness campaign to support residents to keep well this winter.
The Winter Wellness Support Scheme will help adults stay well and connected through the colder months by linking them with local help for physical, mental and social wellbeing.
Over the coming months, a team from the Council will be contacting over 3,000 residents who may potentially need some support, to speak directly to them and help them get connected to the most suitable place or service for them.
The scheme connects people to a wide range of local offers, such as:
- Warm spaces
- The Government’s emergency assistance service, which offers £100 to help low-income families
- Energy advice (including Energy Doctors) to take measures to keep fuel bills down
- Befriending and community groups
- Social prescribing or Local Area Coordinators
- Support for mental and physical health.
Now in its second year, the scheme ran for the first time last winter with staff contacting almost 3,000 residents, with many going on to engage with community and health services that improved their confidence, independence and day-to-day wellbeing.
They included Rob, who lost his partner and began doing the tasks his partner had done. Rob was also afraid to go out as he was afraid of falling.
With support from the winter wellness team, he was referred to a fall clinic, and after disclosing he was feeling lonely, he was linked to Age UK’s Befriending Service and now has someone to talk to regularly.
Meanwhile, Joan, 77, was put in touch with the Council’s Local Area Co-ordinators (LAC) because she wanted to get out more following the death of her husband.
The LACs introduced her to a community space and connected her with a music group and wellness activities. She also learned that food assistance was available, if needed.
The Council will once again be working in partnership with other local bodies, such as the NHS, and community and voluntary sectors to deliver this service.
Councillor Gillian Ford, Cabinet Member for Adults and Wellbeing, said:
"We have already seen the huge impact the scheme has had on residents. Just one phone call can make a big difference.
"For some, the winter months can be incredibly lonely, spending days in isolation.
"We want to address that by offering the support and human contact to keep people safe, warm and engaged when they need it."
The scheme runs from November 2025 to May 2026.
How residents can get support:
- If the Council contacts you, the team will clearly introduce themselves and the Winter Wellness scheme and only proceed with your consent.
- Prefer to opt in? Visit the Council’s webpage to express interest in a call from our team. Residents can withdraw consent at any time.