Derbyshire steps up winter support to keep residents warm, safe and supported

Derbyshire County Council is set to invest an additional £155,000 this winter to help residents stay warm, reduce homelessness and support communities facing rising living costs.

The funding will strengthen three vital county-wide initiatives tackling fuel poverty, homelessness and winter pressures on health and wellbeing.

Derbyshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Communities Councillor Dawn Abbott said: “Fuel poverty, homelessness and cold homes are closely linked to poor health and inequality.

“This additional funding will help communities stay resilient, independent and healthy during the toughest months of the year.

“Together, these measures will help keep Derbyshire residents warm, reduce pressure on emergency services and potentially save lives this winter.”

Helping households struggling with energy costs

An extra £50,000 will support Marches Energy Agency, which runs the Warmer Derby and Derbyshire service. The funding will increase capacity during peak winter demand, providing:

• Around 40 additional home visits for residents needing in-depth energy support
• 70 extra days of energy advice helpline cover, improving access and response times
• Enhanced support for people facing fuel debt, energy inefficiency and financial exclusion

This will help vulnerable households stay warm, manage bills, reduce debt and improve energy efficiency.

Protecting people at risk of rough sleeping

£55,000 of funding will go to North East Derbyshire District Council, on behalf of Derbyshire Homelessness Officers Group, to strengthen winter homelessness and rough sleeping support across Derbyshire.

Funding will:

• Expand winter provision through Pathways of Chesterfield, helping people to access housing, safeguard people in crisis and help people to stay housed
• Boost the Derbyshire Outreach Team, delivered by P3 Charity, to support people sleeping rough or at risk of losing their home

Expanding Warm and Welcoming Spaces

An additional £50,000 will top up funding for Warm and Welcoming Spaces, administered by Derbyshire Voluntary Action.

These free, community-based spaces offer warmth, food, social connection and wellbeing support for people struggling to heat their homes.

The funding will help spaces stay open longer, cover running costs and ensure fair access across the county.

This is in addition to a previous grant of £150,000 already supporting Warm and Welcoming Spaces across the county.

Find out more at www.derbyshire.gov.uk/warmspaces