RESIDENTS aged 60 to 90 from Orford, Warrington were given the chance to meet new friends and enjoy some festive cheer thanks to Golden Gates Housing Trust (GGHT).
They were invited to a Christmas event at the Orford Community Hub, where they joined neighbours and other residents in enjoying a hot buffet, playing prize bingo and other games as well as receiving tips on how to save money on their fuel bills and stay warm this winter.
After last year’s severe winter, GGHT have produced a guide providing information to residents on how they can cope and help to support their neighbours if similar conditions occur this year.
To help get the information out, GGHT staff visited the homes of 100 of their older tenants in the Orford area.
They provided advice on how to keep warm and reduce heating costs while providing tips on avoiding burst pipes and how to find their stop taps and respond in an emergency.
During the visits residents were also invited to the Christmas event, where they were encouraged to meet their neighbours and look out for each other over the winter.
GGHT chief executive Peter Mercer said: “It was great to see so many of our residents attend the Christmas event and enjoy the festivities. As winter sets in, it is important that our residents are aware of the support available to them to keep warm and well. We recognise that times are tough but we are committed to doing all we can to help our residents make the most of their money in the winter months.
“The event was a great way to bring together some of our older tenants but during the cold weather it is important that we all look out for any elderly or vulnerable neighbours. Just spending 10 minutes checking that they are managing can make a huge difference, even if it is just in reassuring them that someone is looking out for them”.
GGHT’s winter guide can be seen at www.gght.org.uk
Pictured: staff from GGHT visiting one of the Trust’s residents
