- To stay warm and healthy, keep your home heated above 18 degrees C
- Visit the Government website to find out if you are entitled to receive financial support towards the cost of your heating bills
- Keep basic items such as soup, long life milk and teabags in the cupboard in case you can't get to the shop
- Have plenty of hot food and drinks to keep you warm
- Take advantage of the winter flu jab available through the NHS or in some cases your employer
- Try to keep active to stay warm. If you cannot walk around, try chair-based exercises
- Layer up - several thin layers are better at keeping you warm than one thick layer
- Know where your stop tap is located - you'll need to turn it off quickly in the event of a burst pipe
- Keep your kettle filled and store bottles of water in case your water is turned off
- Be a good neighbour - keep an eye on others living around you and if you have any concerns, please let us know.
Frozen Condenser Boiler
If your condensing boiler stops working in very cold weather, the condenser waste pipe outside your home may have frozen. Try defrosting it with hot water. Once thawed, the boiler must be reset.
Emergency Repairs
In the event of heavy snow, we may offer a limited emergency repairs service only - allowing us to channel resources to the most urgent cases.
Anyone telephoning our Contact Centre during sever weather will be told the level of service we are operating and the likely timescales.
You can report an emergency repair by calling 08000 121 621 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
We will put information on our website and social media:
Twitter: @Rykneld_Homes
Facebook: @RykneldHomes
There may be financial help available during the winter months to help with the cost of heating your home. Find out more on Page 4 of this leaflet:
If you were born before 25 September 1957 you could get between £250 and £600 to help you pay your heating bills.
The amount you get includes a ‘Pensioner Cost of Living Payment’. This is from £150 - £300. You’ll get this extra amount in winter 2023/24.
This is in addition to any other Cost of Living Payments you get with your benefit or tax credits.
If you’re eligible, you’ll get a letter in October or November saying how much you’ll get. Most eligible people are paid in November or December.
Further information is available online www.gov.uk/winter-fuel-payment.
You may get a Cold Weather Payment if you’re getting certain benefits.
You’ll get a payment if the average temperature in your area is recorded as, or forecast to be, zero degrees celsius or below over 7 consecutive days.
You’ll get £25 for each 7 day period of very cold weather between 1 November and 31 March.
Find out more online www.gov.uk/cold-weather-payment.
The Warm Home Discount Scheme 2023/24 opens on 16 October 2023.
Contact your energy supplier for further information or contact the Warm Home Discount Helpline on: 0800 731 0214.
The HSF offers help to Derbyshire residents facing financial hardship by providing grants and financial support.
Please visit the Derbyshire County Council website for more information.
Residents can apply to receive support from the Derbyshire Discretionary Fund by calling 01629 533399.
Useful Contacts and Support Lines
Rykneld Homes Emergency Repairs
Tel: 08000 121 621
Government Keep Warm Keep Well Advice and Information
Website: gov.uk
Energy Saving Trust
For things you can do over winter and for impartial energy advice
energysavingtrust.org.uk
NHS Winter Health Advice
Website: www.nhs.uk or tel: 111
MET Office Updates
Tel: 0370 900 0100
Website: www.metoffice.gov.uk
Call Derbyshire
If you have concerns about an older person call 01629 533 190
In an emergency call 999
Age UK - Winter Health Tips
Tel: 0800 678 1602
Website: www.ageuk.org.uk
