It is important that residents of St Barnabas are able to keep warm this winter, especially with the cold weather setting in and the additional unprecedented pressures at this time of year.
Here is some information on local warm places, advice on claiming pension credit, help with heating at home and improving the energy efficiency of your home.
Warm places you can go
Warm PlaCEs are places where people can come together to stay warm and enjoy a hot drink.
These places are available to anyone who is feeling the cold and pressures of Cost of Living. Find out where you can go to get warm, stay warm and enjoy a little company, some hot refreshments.
Here are some local Warm Places for Crewe St Barnabas Residents
Barnies Community Hub
St Barnabas Church Hall, West Street, Crewe, CW1 3HX
Telephone: 07949 240 371
Opening Times –
Wednesday & Thursday 10:00 – 14:30
West Street Christian Fellowship
West Street Christian Fellowship, Richard Street, Crewe, CW1 3HE
Telephone: 01270 255337
Opening Times –
Friday: 10:00 – 12:30
Union Street Baptist Church
Union Street Baptist Church, 49 Lord Street, Crewe, CW2 7DH
Telephone: 07908 900586
Opening Times –
Thursday 10:30 – 12:30
Crewe Library
Crewe Library, Crewe Lifestyle Centre, Moss Square, Crewe, Cheshire, Cw1 2BB
Telephone: 01270 375295
Opening Times –
Monday- Friday: 9:30 – 18.00
Saturday: 09:00 – 13.00
Although not officially a dedicated warm space, if you’re over 60 you can visit the ASDA café in Crewe this winter for their Winter Warmer and get soup, a roll and butter, and unlimited hot drinks for £1 so it’s somewhere nice and warm to sit for a while. This runs until the end of February 2025.
Cafe Opening Times –
Monday- Saturday: 8:30 – 18.00
Sunday: 10:00 – 16.00
You can find more Warm Places across the wider Cheshire East area on the Live Well directory.
Winter Fuel Allowance and claiming Pension Credit
The scrapping of the winter fuel allowance is already affecting many older residents of St Barnabas. If you have lost your winter fuel allowance payment it is worth seeing if you are eligible for Pension Credit. Help and advice is available for you.
If you’re a pensioner who has lost the winter fuel allowance, you may be able to claim pension credit. Please call Age UK for advice on 0800 0556112, or if you prefer you can check if you are eligible online.
Household support fund
The Household support fund is available from Cheshire East Council to support those who may be vulnerable or cannot pay for essentials. You do not have to be getting benefits to get help from your local council. More info here.
Warm home discount scheme
Warm Home Discount Scheme is a one-off £150 discount off your electricity bill automatically applied to those who are eligible. Find out more here
Cold Weather Payment
£25 for each week of extreme cold for those who qualify. More info here
Help with heating your home
Energy and fuel poverty charity Energy Projects Plus and Community Interest Company, Go-Lo are delivering Fuel Poverty help and support across Cheshire East. The free of charge LEAP and Warm and Well schemes offer support for residents facing the current energy cost challenges.
To find out more email advice@epplus.org or call 0800 043 0151.
Help to make your home more energy efficient
Making your home more energy efficient can save you money on your fuel bills – and it can also improve your health by making your home warmer too.
There are a range of grants from Cheshire East Council that can be accessed for heating repairs, renewable heating and insulation, if you are on a low income.
Email warm@cheshireeast.gov.uk
Telephone: 0300 123 5017 (select option 4)
Help from Guinness Housing
If you are a Guinness Housing tenant and have a problem with either no heating or hot water please call 0303 123 1890.
Guinness Housing have also put together some useful information for tenants on getting help to keep your home warm this winter.