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The idea
Our Community Interest Company works with a wide range of women (over 300) across Birmingham who have low self-esteem, mental health issues, and/or have experienced (or are experiencing) domestic violence. These women are of mixed ages, ethnicities and come from a wide range of backgrounds, but all share that they are under severe financial pressures. Through working with the women during our weekly meetings, we are able to support the women emotionally, helping to improve self-esteem and providing contacts that can turn into their support network, but we realise practical help would also be appreciated, and in some cases vital. Coupled with the cost of living crisis, these women are voicing concerns about the Winter and how they will afford to stay warm, with the cost of gas/electric showing no signs of coming down. We have created some Warm in Winter Hampers, full of things that will keep 30 of the most vulnerable women warm while reducing their need to put the heating on.
What we'll deliver
- Foil Radiator Insulation
- Electric Blanket
- Heat Holder Socks
- Door Draught Excluder
- Window Insulation Film
- Draught Excluder Tape
- Thick Sherpa Blanket
Why it's a great idea
Initially, and from a practical perspective, the women will be supported to be warm in Winter, not needing to rely on putting them heating on. The Warm in Winter packs will allow women (and their dependents) to reduce their spending on gas/electric, and focus their money on eating well, boosting nutrition and reducing the likelihood that women will skip meals, or develop illnesses due to being malnourished. We hope that overall health amongst the women will be better protected (respiratory illnesses are more likely when cold) and this will in turn, have a positive impact on their mental health. Living in a cold home and worrying about finances can cause clinical mental illnesses, such as anxiety and depression. Our project aims to help women's physical and mental health, in a simple and practical way.
Steps to get it done
- Identify 30 target women
- Create care packages - buy items needed
- Deliver care packages to service users (October 2023-March 2024)
