NEW guide has been created for older residents in Greater Manchester, containing advice and key information to help them get the support they need this winter.
The Greater Manchester Ageing Hub has partnered with national older person’s charity Independent Age to launch Winterwise, a new guide to keeping well during the winter period.
The coming months are expected to be difficult for many older residents across the city-region, as the costs of energy, food and other bills continue to rise.
The guide includes useful information on cost of living support, and focuses on three key themes:
‘Stay warm’ – Providing information about the financial support that older people could access to help them with rising energy costs
‘Stay safe’ – Focusing on home safety advice for older people, including fire safety, how to spot and report scams, and what to do if they fall
‘Stay well’ – Tips and advice on mental health and wellbeing, eating well and keeping active
Designed with older people in mind, the Winterwise guide is also being offered to disabled people and can benefit any resident looking to get winter ready. The guide is available in print and online to better support older residents, as the Ageing Hub identified a strong preference from older people to receive official information in a printed format.
More than 325,000 printed copies are being distributed across Greater Manchester by key partners including the 10 local councils, North West Ambulance Service (Patient Transport Service), Greater Manchester Police, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, Greater Manchester Housing Providers, 200 pharmacies, Transport for Greater Manchester, and local organisations and networks.
The guide also builds on the Pension Top Up campaign, relaunched earlier this year, which encourages older residents to check they are getting all of the financial support to which they are entitled.
In Greater Manchester, £70 million goes unclaimed each year in Pension Credit alone, while many older residents are also missing out on Attendance Allowance, Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit and other entitlements – all of which could make a big difference to their weekly income and provide extra support for the rising living and energy costs.
Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said:
“This winter, the rising cost of living will put even greater pressure on those who might already be facing difficulties or need extra support to get by. In the face of these challenges, it’s vital that we do everything we can to help everyone through the winter months.
“The Winterwise guide, which we’ve developed together with Independent Age, is an important part of that effort. It contains information and advice for older residents in Greater Manchester, setting out some of the steps they can take to stay warm, well and safe this winter.”
