A 78-year-old widow from Bromborough says her life has been transformed by support from Age UK Wirral, which helped her manage rising energy costs through a local grant scheme. Helen Hicklin received financial aid and practical items that improved both her financial stability and overall wellbeing.
The assistance, which included help with electricity bills and energy-saving devices like an air fryer, was made possible by Wirral's Household Support Fund. This initiative aims to provide targeted help to vulnerable residents across the borough, and for Ms. Hicklin, it proved to be a crucial intervention during a difficult winter.
Key Takeaways
- Helen Hicklin, 78, received financial and practical support from Age UK Wirral to cope with rising energy costs.
- The aid was funded by a £100,000 allocation to the charity from Wirral's Household Support Fund.
- Practical items, such as an air fryer and draught excluders, helped Ms. Hicklin reduce her energy bills.
- The support significantly improved her mental and physical wellbeing, providing a sense of security.
- Ms. Hicklin is encouraging other older people who are struggling to seek help without hesitation.
A Struggle to Stay Warm
For Helen Hicklin, living alone in Bromborough presented significant challenges, particularly with the increasing cost of living. As a widow without family nearby, managing household expenses became a source of constant worry. Her situation was made more difficult by a long-term health condition.
"I’m 78, I’m a widow and I don’t have any family nearby," Ms. Hicklin explained. "I’m a breast cancer survivor and even years later, due to the treatment, I really feel the cold."
The loss of a heating allowance further tightened her budget, making it harder to keep her home adequately warm during the colder months. "Because I no longer get the heating allowance, I was struggling to make ends meet," she added. It was at this point that Age UK Wirral intervened.
Practical Support Makes a Tangible Difference
Age UK Wirral contacted Ms. Hicklin to offer assistance through the Household Support Fund. The help provided was not just financial; it included a range of practical items and advice designed to have an immediate and lasting impact on her daily life.
"They gave me some money towards my bills and lots of practical advice and items – such as draught excluders, a lovely warm throw, and an air fryer," she said. These simple items proved to be highly effective.
The Power of an Air Fryer
Ms. Hicklin highlighted the air fryer as a particularly transformative item. For a person living alone, using a conventional oven can be inefficient and costly. The team at Age UK Wirral showed her how much more energy-efficient an air fryer could be for preparing single meals.
"The throw keeps me warm when I’m staying in and the air fryer has been a revelation," she shared. "Cooking at home for one, it can be a waste of energy to use the oven... I can cook almost anything and I’ve seen a difference in my bills."
Wirral's Household Support Fund in Action
The support Ms. Hicklin received is part of a much larger effort to assist vulnerable residents across Wirral. Age UK Wirral was allocated £100,000 from this year's Household Support Fund (HSF) to deliver what it calls "older lives support."
What is the Household Support Fund?
The Household Support Fund is a government-funded scheme distributed by local authorities to directly help those most in need. In Wirral, the fund is part of a package worth over £5 million, targeting essentials like food, energy, and water bills for low-income households, families, and older people.
Age UK Wirral's portion of the funding focuses on key areas for older residents, including:
- Nutrition and Hydration: Ensuring access to healthy food and drink.
- Independence: Providing items and support that help people live safely at home.
- Financial Assistance: Offering direct help with utility bills and other essential costs.
This targeted approach ensures that the support provided is tailored to the specific needs of the older community in the borough.
More Than Just Financial Help
Beyond the practical and financial benefits, the intervention from Age UK Wirral had a profound effect on Ms. Hicklin's mental wellbeing. The feeling of isolation and worry was replaced by a sense of security and connection.
"Of course, I still worry about bills, who doesn’t?" she admitted. "But now I feel that there’s somewhere I can go if I needed help and to explore things. The team were very good to me."
She emphasized the value of the human connection offered by the charity. "Even when they couldn’t help me with something, I could have a cuppa and a chat – especially if you don’t have a support network it’s a lifesaver really."
A Message to Others
Having experienced the positive impact of the support firsthand, Ms. Hicklin is now urging other older people who may be struggling to reach out for help. She wants to remove any stigma associated with asking for assistance, stressing that it is a sign of strength, not weakness.
"There’s no shame in receiving help and if it helps to keep you well especially in the winter, that can only be a good thing," she stated.
Her story serves as a powerful example of how targeted community support schemes can provide a vital safety net, helping older residents maintain their health, independence, and dignity in the face of economic pressures.