WHO: Islington Council is campaigning to raise awareness amongst older people about how to stay warm during winter
WHAT: Adult Social Services will give away hundreds of gifts to people over 55 in Chapel Market
WHEN: 9.30 am to 12.30 pm on 28 November and 2 December, 2006
WHERE: Chapel Market, Chapel Street, Angel, Islington, London N1
You are invited to send a photographer
Christmas will come early this year for hundreds of Islington residents who are 55 and over if they visit Chapel Market on 28 November or 2 December 2006. Islington Council is giving away free slippers, blankets, hot water bottles and covers, and umbrellas as part of a campaign to raise awareness about the best way to keep warm during the cold winter months.
Cllr John Gilbert, Islington Council's Executive Member for Health and Adult Social Services, visited the social services offices to help package up the goods. He said: "Winter deaths in Islington have doubled since 2003/2004, when 40 winter deaths were recorded. By 2004/2005 the figure was 80, making Islington higher than the national average for winter deaths.
"As well as raising awareness amongst the over 55s about how to stay warm and well in the winter months, the campaign will tackle fuel poverty. With Manor Gardens Centre, we are also setting up a 'phone a friend' scheme that will see volunteers recruited to visit the borough's most vulnerable people at home during winter."
In 2002/2003, there were 24,020 winter deaths in England and Wales but by 2004/2005, it had mushroomed to 31,600. There were 3,400 winter deaths in London in 2004/2005.
Fifty-fives and over who visit the social services market stall will also be asked to complete a short questionnaire to find out how much they know about services in Islington for older people.
The health authority, police, fire brigade and Age Concern Islington are supporting the winter warm campaign and their staff will be at the Chapel Market stall alongside social services staff. Officers from the fire brigade will show people how they can wear layers of clothes to keep warm instead of one thick woolly item.
The gifts will be distributed on a first come first serve basis.
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Page Last Updated: 29 July 2008