Dear LPG, 

In spite of the really hot summer, we had this year and the mild winter we have had so far, the weather is now getting seriously cold and, even with all the help that the government has given us, most of the people I know are beginning to see just how much energy is really costing as they are receiving their latest gas and electricity bills. 

 It is truly becoming a case of putting coats and extra clothing on in the house rather than turning on the heating and, while people of all ages need the warmth you don’t have to ask many older people around you to know that we oldies feel the cold perhaps more than the more active age groups in society.

The temptation is to stay huddled up having created one warm spot in your home, but inactivity just makes us colder.  We oldies suffer because, as we get older, with the best will in the world we don’t move as quickly as we once used to and not moving around so much results in our doing even less of those activities that create the energy that helps to keep us warm.

They always say that exercise and sharing body heat are two things that can help but, for many of us older people who live alone and have no real reason to take a walk in the cold, the thought of getting ready to get out is an even colder prospect.

I saw a recent news report about ‘Lewisham Warm Welcome’ which is a scheme where libraries and other community groups are welcoming anyone who wants to, to come in out of the cold even if they would not normally want to be a part of the activity that is provided there.  

The thinking is that such community groups have to have heat in their building’s meeting spaces anyway so there can only be advantages in sharing it while their additional visitors’ home heating systems get a bit of a rest, and the energy needed to travel and interact once there, can only help with keeping us warm too.

I came across a map where some of these centres are recently and thought the information worth sharing.  I also found some other practical ideas to help when it comes to keeping warm and, while I saw Lewisham Borough featured on the news programme, I have found some information about other parts of the UK that have similar ideas.  I hope that my message serves as a reminder or urges a few more people to get out and find these places.

KR, Bell Green,

KR shares the information he has found about where to find the centres concerned and a few helpful hints about keeping warmer in general…

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