Churches in North Yorkshire joining forces to try and reduce winter deaths from cold and fuel poverty

Figures from the Office of National Statistics show there are an average of 431 excess winter deaths every year in North Yorkshire and more than 3,000 emergency admissions to hospital as a result of cold conditions and fuel poverty.

Now the Diocese of West Yorkshire and the Dales is joining forces with Rural Action Yorkshire to try and reduce these figures.

Churches throughout the area will be invited to join with other partners in the Warm and Well campaign by setting up winter weather schemes and raising awareness at church services.

The initiative has been welcomed and endorsed by the Bishop of Ripon, the Rt Revd James Bell.

He said: “The figures for excess winter deaths and hospital admissions in North Yorkshire are tragic; I am therefore delighted that Rural Action Yorkshire has invited the Diocese to work with them to help people keep warm and well.”

England has a higher rate of excess winter deaths than Scandinavian countries. The latest figures for winter deaths show that across North Yorkshire, ten per cent of the population are living in fuel poverty, which equates to ten per cent of the population.

It is a particular problem in many parts of the county where rural homes are reliant on expensive oil heating or bottled gas.

Andy Ryland, Church Rural Officer for the diocese, said this left some residents particularly vulnerable.

“North Yorkshire is a mostly rural county with many homes off the mains gas grid or lacking adequate heating and insulation,” he said.

“Many rely on more expensive fuel – oil, bottled gas or solid fuel.

“Rural areas are also more isolated, further from medical help, and in poor weather residents may need extra help to get around, access services and socialise.”

Among the practical steps, churches will be encouraged to look out for vulnerable members of local villages, offer practical and financial help to enable vulnerable people to stay warm, make more home visits, raise awareness in church services, and set up winter weather schemes.

The Warm and Well campaign is also offering a hardship fund, as well as training for organisations in subjects such as fuel poverty, energy efficiency, and applying for Warm Homes discounts.

Leah Swain, chief officer of Rural Action Yorkshire, said she was delighted to be working with the Diocese.

“Churches across North Yorkshire have incredibly reach into their communities and will be in touch with older or vulnerable people who may need extra help this winter," she said.