Warm Homes Oldham scheme wins national award

AN OLDHAM Council employee has won a national award for her dedication and hard work in delivering the Warm Homes Oldham scheme.

Angela Broadhurst, Oldham Council’s Principal Housing Energy Officer, was responsible for developing Warm Homes Oldham and now coordinates the ground-breaking scheme.

Over the last year Warm Homes Oldham helped nearly 600 households out of fuel poverty, saving around £600,000 off energy bills and ensuring they can afford to keep their heating on in winter.

Thanks to Angela’s leadership, drive and enthusiasm, over 3,600 people were lifted out of fuel poverty in the first three years of the national-award-winning scheme.

Angela’s efforts have not gone unnoticed and now she won a Heat Heroes Award 2016, run by fuel poverty charity National Energy Action (NEA) in partnership with Scottish Power.

Angela said: “Looking at how many people’s lives have been changed through this remarkable scheme is the only incentive our team needs.

“It’s very humbling to receive personal recognition but I wouldn’t have received this award without such an incredible team behind me and such supportive partners.

“The work we’re doing here in Oldham is really making a difference so, naturally, our focus is to continue our efforts to ensure people in our town do not suffer in fuel poverty.”

The pioneering scheme was launched in 2012 by Oldham Council, NHS Oldham Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and Oldham Housing Investment Partnership (OHIP).

In 2015/16 they invested £300,000 in the scheme, and attracted £1,283,853 of external funding.

This has paid for home improvements, such as boilers and insulation, as well as support from qualified advisors in saving energy and maximising income.

Partners have agreed to continue funding the scheme for future years and the scheme has won a number of national awards.

Cllr Councillor Barbara Brownridge, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Co-operatives, said: “Warm Homes Oldham is a great example of how the council is working co-operatively with its partners to improve the lives of residents.

“We are improving lives and also saving money for the council and the NHS that would otherwise be spent on treating cold-related illnesses and other related issues.”

For more information about Warm Homes Oldham, or to book a free, no obligation survey, visit www.warmhomesoldham.org or call 0800 019 1084.