Keeping warm during the cold winter months is vital to staying fit and healthy. We are, however, aware that some people struggle with the costs of heating and insulating their home.
Ensuring your home is well insulated is key to retaining warmth and saving significant amounts of money. Many mainland residents, particularly those on low incomes, are able to access discounted or even free loft and cavity wall insulation through various schemes. This option has never been available to residents on the Isles of Scilly.
The Council of the Isles of Scilly, in partnership with Cornwall Council and Andrew George MP, are keen to identify properties with inadequate insulation, particularly those occupied by young children and adults over the age of 70. This will help to build a case for challenging the exclusion of the islands from national schemes.
If you believe your home has insufficient insulation and wish to register your interest in participating in any future scheme, please contact Joel Williams by email (jwilliams@scilly.gov.uk) or phone (01720 424880), or by popping into the Wellbeing Centre at Carn Gwaval. We want to hear from you even if you’re not the property owner. At this stage there are no guarantees that a nationally recognised scheme will be offered on Scilly but any evidence collected will help to develop our case for change.
In the meantime, please make use of our Winter Wellbeing Guides, available from community centres or by contacting Joel Williams direct. There will also be an opportunity in early 2015 to talk face to face with experts about switching energy providers to ensure you’re on the best available tariff. Details of this event will be announced soon.