ROTARIANS in Knowle and Dorridge are wrapping their arms around some of the most vulnerable people in the area through their successful Winter Warmth Campaign.
The club has joined forces with two West Midlands charities in a series of community projects to provide thousands of essential food items, clothing, blankets and heaters across the area.
The Rotarians have recently funded £1,600 worth of oil-filled radiators, as well as electric blankets and quilts, for Age UK Solihull to distribute for emergency use.
The project, delivered by Age UK Solihull, also provides free advice, information and practical assistance to residents at most risk from the cold through a dedicated helpline which is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, on 0121 704 8080. It offers help with emergencies such as providing temporary heaters, electric blankets, grants, finding a trades person or offering general advice on benefits, debt or finding the cheapest energy supplier.
Chief Executive Officer Age UK, Anne Hastings said: “We are so grateful to the Rotary Club of Knowle & Dorridge for purchasing these items for the Solihull Winter Warmth Campaign.
“We had started to run out of heaters which are so vital to our winter warmth response, as vulnerable older people can become quickly affected by the cold. This can lead to poor outcomes for their health and wellbeing. Being able to loan out these safe forms of heating while we sort fixing their heating systems is a lifesaver that makes a real difference to vulnerable Solihull households.”
The Rotarians, with the support of The Cricket Club of Knowle and Dorridge, have also managed to collect more than 70 children’s coats for the Children’s Storehouse in Solihull, a charity that works with local agencies, organisations and schools to support families experiencing financial hardship.
Before Christmas, residents responded to the Club’s appeal for donations on behalf of Aston and Nechells Foodbank, in Birmingham, resulting in more than 2,000 food items, weighing 740kg, enough to support 50 single people or 20 families for three days during a crisis.
It comes at a time of record demand for the service locally which, according to organisers, is significantly above the national average.
Rosemary Cripps Volunteer administrator at Aston and Nechells Foodbank, one of 10 Trussell Trust-affiliated Foodbanks in Birmingham and Solihull, said: “Numbers started rising in October and have continued month on month ever since. We have been helping people in Aston, Nechells and Ward End in inner city Birmingham since 2011 and this is our busiest year since opening.”
In November, Which Magazine identified that part of Hodge Hill parliamentary constituency had the highest number of people facing unmanageable energy bill rises of anywhere in the whole of the UK.
And, according to the Church of England National Deprivation Parish Index, the Parish of Aston and Nechells falls into the 1% most deprived parishes in the country.
Rosemary added: “Between April 1st and December 15th the Foodbank has helped 4,300 people experiencing food/cost of living crises. This is already 250 more than the total number helped for the entire year between April 2021 and March 2022.
“As we continue to experience this rise in demand, we are so grateful for the support of many different partners including the Rotary Club of Knowle and Dorridge. There has been a fantastic response by residents.”
Rotary Club of Knowle and Dorridge President, Robert Pannifer said: “The Winter Warmth campaign is helping to keep our vulnerable residents safe this winter. I’d urge friends, relatives and neighbours of ‘at risk’ residents to keep an eye out during the remaining winter months and call the Age UK Solihull helpline if there’s any concern.”
For further information about how to donate or to get involved with the work of The Rotary Club of Knowle and Dorridge, visit: www.knowleanddorridgerotary.org.uk
Further information on the three charities can be found at:
https://www.ageuk.org.uk/solihull/
