Keeping warm and staying cool

Extreme weather can affect everyone, but older people and those with existing health conditions can be especially vulnerable.

Keeping warm

Every winter in the UK there are 25,000 to 30,000 deaths linked to cold weather when vulnerable people are even more at risk of health conditions such as heart attacks, strokes, pneumonia and depression.

The government website offers advice on heating your home, what to wear, 'Keep Warm Keep Well' guides and links to other useful sites.

The risks can be reduced if your home is properly heated. We can advise you on a number of discounted home heating schemes that can help and could even save you money. They include central heating, insulation and draft-proofing improvements and many are free for older people or those with a medical condition. You can also arrange for a home visitor to advise you about the best way to keep warm at home and make referrals to other schemes. Download a list of contact details for grants, home visitors and other winter warmth schemes(pdf, 57KB).

Further information on financial help for making energy saving improvements to your home can be found from our Go Green website, the Wandsworth and Richmond Home Improvement Agency(pdf, 276KB) leaflet and the Energy Saving Trust website.

For more information about how to keep yourself warm this winter visit the Richmond AID website.

Staying cool

Extreme hot weather can result in heatstroke, heat exhaustion and dehydration.

If you’re in any doubt about any health problems you have, or you feel very unwell, always contact your GP. You can also call NHS Direct on 0845 4647. They can take the details of your symptoms and advise on what to do.

View more information and advice on what do in a heatwave.

Please contact me about this service.

If you’re still unsure you can contact the Adult Social Care Access Team