Archive for category: News

Popping out of the house?

• Close and lock all your doors and windows, even if you’re only going out for a few minutes!
• Double-lock any door
• Make sure that any valuables are out of sight – this includes leaving packaging from outside of your house
• Keep handbags away from the letterbox or cat flap and hide all keys including car keys, as a thief could hook keys or valuables through even a small opening
• Never leave car documents or ID in obvious places such as kitchens or hallways
• In the evening, shut the curtains and leave lights on
• If you’re out all day, then it’s advisable to use a timer device to automatically turn lights and a radio on at night
• Set your burglar alarm
• Make sure the side gate is locked
• Lock your shed or garage
• Lock your bike inside a secure shed or garage, to a robust fitting bolted to the ground or wall, like a ground anchor

Going away?

• If you’re off on holiday and wish to post anything on social media, make sure your posts aren’t public and that they’re only seen by your friends – you don’t want potential burglars to know your house will be unattended!
• Leave lights and a radio on a timer to make your house appears occupied
• Ask a trusted neighbour to keep an eye on your property, or you could join a Neighbourhood Watch Scheme to keep in touch with those in your street
• Consider asking your neighbours to close curtains after dark
• If your driveway will be empty – you could also ask a neighbour to park on there to deter burglars from breaking in
• Remember to cancel newspaper and milk deliveries – you don’t want these piling up on your doorstep!

We would like to make you aware of some important Government funding that is available to residents in your area:

 

Free Energy Home Improvements now available to residents in Worcestershire – For more information, email

Help us spread the word about free home improvements in Worcestershire.

The Home Upgrade Grant scheme (HUGs) is designed to tackle colder homes that do not have mains gas central heating. Homeowners and tenants in Worcestershire could benefit from a variety of measures to help reduce energy bills including: internal and external wall insulation, loft and cavity wall insulation, air source heat pumps, solar panels, draught proofing and many more.

Worcestershire County Council is working in partnership with Redditch Borough and Bromsgrove, Malvern Hills and Wychavon District Councils and Act on Energy to deliver this programme.

Worcester City Council and Wyre Forest District Council are administering their own HUG2 scheme and information can be found on their websites.

To qualify, households must not use mains gas to heat their home, have a gross annual income of less than £31,000 with a current Home Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of D to G.

Funding is also available for landlords in the charity and private rented sector.

Those who qualify for the scheme will undergo a free technical survey to determine the most suitable energy efficiency measures.

For more information, including full eligibility, and to register your interest visit: www.worcestershire.gov.uk/home-upgrade-grant-scheme-hug2  OR  contact your local energy charity Act on Energy on their free advice line 0800 988 2881

 

All projects must be completed by March 2025.