An older man smiling, sitting on an armchair at home.

Surviving Winter appeal

You may not need it. Someone near you does.

Around 1 in 4 older people are struggling to make ends meet. In Somerset, that’s an estimated 40,000 people, and many of them don’t show up in the official figures. Energy prices went up again in October, and forecasters warn bills could rise by 16% in January.

If you can, pass on your Winter Fuel Payment, or give what it’s worth, and we’ll make sure it reaches an older person in Somerset who needs it this winter.

 

0

older people in Somerset are estimated to be struggling financially

1 in 0

older people in Somerset gets means-tested support, yet around 1 in 4 say they’re struggling

0%

of Somerset homes aren’t on mains gas, which often makes them more expensive to heat

Your gift stays local and gets there fast.

We work with trusted local organisations who know the older people in their communities who need help.

Your gifts help to provide one-off hardship payments of up to £500 (typical grant size £300-£350) to help older people facing a hard winter pay for what they need most, such as heating, food, or bills.

What your gift means

It got to the point where I wasn’t using the cooker. I turned the radiators off to save money and it just got so cold all the time. My Surviving Winter grant was a lifeline and such a blessed relief. I’m so grateful for the people who donated. They’ve done something really kind.

Kathleen

I had to have the heating off in the daytime. I just couldn’t have it on because it cost too much money. It was so cold, you can’t imagine. We were really grateful for the Surviving Winter grant. The money basically saved us.

Carol

Last winter the oil got very low and we just didn’t have the money to top up the tank. Luckily, we found Surviving Winter. The money went straight towards paying for oil. We were very thankful for the grant last year and luckily it came at just the right time.

Harry

Last winter I had run out of heating oil and was unable to heat our hot water and central heating. My wife has complex needs, and I have arthritis which gets worse when it’s cold. I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support in these difficult times.

Frank

Need help this winter?

If you’re an older person in Somerset and you’re struggling to keep up with heating, food or bills this winter, call Citizens Advice Somerset free on 0808 278 7842. You can also find out more about how we work with partners to distribute Surviving Winter grants.

Help an older neighbour stay warm, safe, and well this winter.

If you don’t need your Winter Fuel Payment this year, you can pass it onto an older person who does.

Whether or not you get the payment, you can give what it’s worth: £100, £200 or £300 could help an older neighbour through winter. Whatever you’re able to give, your gift will help an older person in Somerset stay warm, safe and well.

If you’re a UK taxpayer, Gift Aid could add 25% to your gifts at no extra cost to you.

Your donation will fund one-off hardship payments for older people across the county, as well as a small contribution towards our operating costs, including running this appeal and our work with trusted local organisations to get payments out quickly to those who need help most. Any donations not spent by the end of March 2027 will be carried over to next winter’s Surviving Winter Fund.

Together, we can make sure older people across Somerset get the help they need this winter.

How to donate

The quickest and most cost-effective way to donate is online.

If you’d prefer to donate by cheque, please complete and return this donation form to our postal address at the bottom of this page. Please remember to write ‘Surviving Winter’ on the reverse of your cheque.

If you’d like to donate over the phone, call us on 01749 344949 (please note setting up a regular donation can only be done online). Lines are open Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm.

 

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