Havering Council is reminding residents of the wide range of support available as cold weather continues to affect households across the borough.
One of the main sources of support is the Emergency Assistance Scheme (Havering Helps), funded by the UK Government’s Household Support Fund.
Since launching, the scheme has received more than 22,000 applications and distributed over £469,000 to residents, helping with essentials such as food, heating and household items.
The scheme has also supported over 20,000 children during school holidays and previously provided targeted help for residents using high-energy medical equipment at home
The Council is also continuing to promote its Energy Doctors service, delivered in partnership with Age UK.
The service offers free home visits to residents, providing tailored energy advice and installing small measures such as LED lightbulbs, radiator foils and draught proofing.
Since launching, the service has already helped residents achieve thousands of pounds in combined annual energy savings, while also supporting people to stay warm and reduce bills during colder months.
Alongside this, older residents are being supported through the Advice and Information Service, delivered by Age UK Redbridge, Barking & Havering in partnership with Havering Council and funded through the Health Inequalities Fund.
The service helps residents aged 50 and over to access benefits they are entitled to, manage household costs and stay independent.
To date, the service has helped generate over £2 million in additional annual income for residents, alongside one-off grants and backdated payments.
Residents can also access Community Hubs at Rainham Library and Harold Hill Library, which offer weekly drop-in support in welcoming, accessible spaces.
Both hubs host Community Food Pantries, where residents can access over £20 worth of food for just £6.
The pantries provide affordable, good-quality food while also supporting physical and mental wellbeing.
For those needing a warm, welcoming place during cold weather, Warm Spaces are available across Havering.
These free venues offer residents somewhere safe to spend time, keep warm and connect with others, helping to reduce isolation during winter months.
The Council’s winter wellness scheme goes a step further by making direct contact with residents who may need some additional support, informing them about what is available and how they can access it.
Winter roads
Havering Council’s winter roads service began in October last year and gritters have been out regularly when forecasts showed that temperatures were dropping below zero overnight and the risk of ice increases.
The winter roads service includes:
- gritting main routes around the borough with salt in order to keep everyone moving and help make conditions safer
- vehicles ready for snow or ice should it arrive
- a snow plough ready to clear roads, while the street cleaning team will assist in keeping pavements and bridges as clear as possible in snow
- four gritting lorries on stand-by
- 2,000 tonnes of salt in our depot – enough to grit up to over 380 miles of roads and sufficient for almost three weeks of continuous snowfall
- a team on-call 24/7, including weekends
- in severe snow weather, as many roads as possible will be salted, with priority given to main roads, bus routes and roads linking motorways and hospitals
- once priority roads are clear, the team will look at other roads (secondary routes) so that scheduled rubbish collections for instance, can still take place.
Councillor Ray Morgon, Leader of Havering Council, said:
“As temperatures drop, we know many residents are feeling the pressure of rising costs and colder homes.
"That’s why we’re continuing to invest in a wide range of support - from emergency financial help and food support to energy advice, warm spaces and benefits guidance.
“Our focus is on making sure residents know help is available and can access it easily.
"Whether someone needs help with heating costs, staying warm, or managing their household finances, we want them to come forward and get the support they need.
“We are also helping residents get around the borough as safely as possible in the winter weather with our gritters and we’ve enough salt to keep gritting though the most severe winter snow.”
Residents who need help with the cost of living can visit the Havering Helps webpage or contact the council’s Cost of Living team by emailing costoflivingresponse@havering.gov.uk or calling 01708 432280.