The Bishop of Bath & Wells Endorses Surviving Winter Campaign

The Rt Rev’d Peter Hancock, Bishop of Bath & Wells, has endorsed this year’s Surviving Winter campaign, which is administered by Somerset Community Foundation (SCF). Now in its eighth year, the award-winning Surviving Winter appeal asks people to think about donating some or all of their Winter Fuel Payment to help SCF reach their target of raising £100,000 to help 500 isolated and vulnerable older people this winter.

On average, there are 330 winter-related deaths in Somerset; over one in eight households in the county live in fuel poverty; and around one in six older people in Somerset say they feel socially isolated. Surviving Winter offers you the opportunity to make a difference this winter.

Bishop Peter, who is a Vice President of Somerset Community Foundation and Patron of Age UK Somerset says: “Many older people face making difficult financial decisions during the colder months, when their heating bills increase. Winter can be a very lonely time for some, especially those living in the more remote rural areas, so please think carefully about whether you need your Winter Fuel payment this year and consider donating it to this year’s Surviving Winter appeal. Thank you so much.”

When a person receives their Surviving Winter grant, it doesn’t just go towards paying the heating bill. It is also the first step towards connecting them to a local community partner; this can become the foundation for a new relationship that can help to overcome the isolation and loneliness many older people experience.

To donate some or all of your Winter Fuel Payment, or to make a donation of any size to the Surviving Winter appeal, please send a cheque made payable to Somerset Community Foundation (write SW on the back), Yeoman House, Bath and West Showground, Shepton Mallet, BA4 6QN; or you can call us 01749 344949; or you can donate online here.

Gift Aid forms are available to download here.