AN ESTIMATED 5,000 people in North Wales will benefit from a £476,000 grant to help them to be warmer, safer, and healthier.

Funded through the Energy Industry Voluntary Redress Scheme, the grant will help ClwydAlyn in partnership with Warm Wales and TGP Cymru to deliver energy advice and support to communities during the next two years and enable ClwydAlyn to meet its priorities around tackling poverty.

This news comes as ClwydAlyn recognises Challenge Poverty Week in England and Wales, as it continues its journey to work with partners to address the causes and impacts of poverty and tackle the issue together.

Chief Executive at ClwydAlyn, Clare Budden said: “This is fantastic news for our residents and will make a real difference to people’s homes and lives.

“The grant funding will help us improve the lives of thousands of individuals over the next two years and we’re looking forward to working with our partners to develop an effective package.”

ClwydAlyn Housing’s successful bid will help those most vulnerable in society or those under new tenancies, which will include individuals in supported living, and offer a package that will provide a series of in depth and light touch services that will improve their homes and a focus on the person’s health and wellbeing.

The bid will also include training for 300 frontline officers with partner agencies across North Wales in order to integrate services and further develop the support that is needed.

Jonathan Cosson, Director at Warm Wales, said: “At Warm Wales, we are pleased to form a relationship with ClwydAlyn and help with the delivery of this ground-breaking project. Through this partnership we will soon be helping more homes to become healthier and happier.

“From energy advice to fuel debt assistance and guidance on benefit entitlement; our team is here to help. The provision of a range of advice, support and referral options tailored to the needs of the household will allow us to be able to assist more vulnerable households across North Wales.”

Resident Committee member at ClwydAlyn, Peter Smith-Hughes said: “This grant gives an opportunity for residents of Clwyd Alyn to receive in depth or light touch energy advice from their Landlord, ensuring those in need will be supported in these times of rising energy prices”.

Clare Budden added: “We are on an exciting journey to address the causes and impact of any hardship that the people of North Wales may be experiencing, and this funding will help us break down barriers and provide access and support to those in need, tackling issues such as poverty head on.”