New scheme to support people in the grip of poverty

First Contact is designed to help thousands of vulnerable people to stay warm and healthy over the next three months by offering a range of support to people.

This includes handing out
essentials such as duvets, bedding, hats, gloves and shoes to those identified as being at risk, as
well as food parcels and 
vouchers.

The scheme will also help the increasing number of people in the grip of fuel poverty explore ways of easing their financial pressures, and offer advice and information on staying safe and well when temperatures plummet.

Funded by the local NHS in tandem with the Warm Homes Healthy People Partnership in Bradford, it offers the community the opportunity of accessing a range of practical support and advice – through a single point of entry.

Among the groups contributing are Inn Churches, Bradford and Airedale Citizens’ Advice Bureau, Age UK, West and North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Services and Bradford and North Yorkshire Families’ Information Service.

First Contact is being coordinated by the Yorkshire charity Carers’ Resource, which has bases in Shipley and Skipton.

Its head of development, Anna Jackson, said: “This winter we aim to improve the health and well-being of vulnerable people across Bradford District and Craven.

“For the first time, the scheme has been extended to include people living in Craven. This has brought new expertise to the scheme further extending our reach to those in the community that are in need.”

The Carers’ Resource will work with partner organisations to circulate referral forms throughout the district, which uses a simple checklist to highlight the needs of individuals and connect them to the right support.

The form can also be completed online by visiting www.carersresoure.org/first-contact

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