Wiltshire & Swindon Community Foundation has launched its annual Surviving Winter appeal, calling for donations to support vulnerable people struggling to keep warm during the coldest months.
The campaign, which began in 2011, provides fuel grants and practical help to households across Wiltshire and Swindon. Last winter, it supported 3,264 people in 1,564 households, offering assistance such as pre-payment meter top-ups, heating oil and direct payments to energy suppliers.
Surviving Winter was originally set up to offer one-off fuel payments for older people at risk from the cold, but the programme has since expanded through partnerships with Age UK Wiltshire, Warm and Safe Wiltshire, Wiltshire Citizens Advice and Swindon Citizens Advice. As a result, it now supports people with a broad range of complex needs.
For many households, the fuel grant is only the beginning. The scheme connects people with expert advice on improving home energy efficiency, applying for benefits and accessing local services. This support helped raise household incomes by more than £1.47 million last year, providing longer-term stability for families and older residents.
One of those helped was Mrs L, whose Pension Credit claim was unexpectedly rejected. Facing rising costs, she had been significantly underheating her home despite existing health conditions. A Surviving Winter grant allowed her to heat her home properly, while Age UK Wiltshire successfully helped her challenge the Pension Credit decision and apply for Attendance Allowance, giving her lasting financial security.
The Foundation warns that need remains high. Across Wiltshire and Swindon, more than 29,000 households are living in fuel poverty. Around 11,650 pensioners are living in poverty across the county, and many older residents face serious health risks linked to cold homes, particularly those with respiratory and circulatory conditions. With Pension Credit still widely underclaimed, the true level of hardship is likely even greater.
The appeal relies entirely on donations from local people, businesses and charitable trusts. With winter pressures growing, the Foundation is urging anyone who can to contribute.
Joint Chief Executive Fiona Oliver said that no one in Wiltshire or Swindon should be forced to choose between heating and eating. She added that the campaign shows the impact of community generosity, with every donation distributed quickly through trusted local partners working directly with those most in need.
More information on the Surviving Winter appeal, including how to donate, can be found on the Wiltshire & Swindon Community Foundation website.