Warm packs delivered to residents across Stockport to help tackle the cost of living

(L-R) Rosemary Hale; packing the warm packs for residents; Jack Proverbs

Working closely with Age UK Stockport, Stockport Homes and Disability Stockport, as well as the Home Library Service and the council’s post room, the council has delivered 1,200 warm packs to the borough’s most vulnerable residents.

The packs included a range of items such as scarves, gloves, socks, thermometers, with some residents even receiving heated blankets! They also include advice and guidance on the cost of living support available from the council, including signposting people to the cost of living hub, and advice on where to find warm spaces and prepayment meter guidance.

Some of the warm packs have been funded by Octopus Energy and IPL Global, whose generous donations meant more residents were able to access products to keep them warm throughout what for many has been a tough winter.

Rosemary Hale (pictured), a Woodley resident, said: “These warm packs will mean I am able to keep warm without putting the central heating on. It’s very cold in the morning and the bedroom is very cold. I have been attending the Mooch and Mingle sessions run by Pure Innovations, Olive Sanctuary and Starting Point. The warm spaces are great. There are lots of people to talk to.”

Jack Proverbs (also pictured), a Bredbury resident, added: “I have been using the warm space at Starting Point café. The staff at Starting Point are lovely and welcoming and it’s nice to have a hot meal. This electric blanket will save me money on my electricity bills while we wait for the summer to come!”

Councillor Malcolm Allan, Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources at Stockport Council commented: “It’s fantastic to hear stories from residents like Rosemary and Jack, which show that our warm packs and warm spaces programme is making a real difference. We know that the cost of living crisis has hit many of our residents hard, so we have been working through our partners to give support to everyone who needs it. A huge thank you to Octopus Energy and IPL Global for their donations which allowed us to extend our warm packs scheme this year and reach more residents like Rosemary in their homes.”

Councillor Helen Foster-Grime, Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing at Stockport Council, added: "If you haven’t visited your local warm space yet, make sure you do pop down soon. Although the programme ends in March with the (hopefully!) warmer weather many of these brilliant groups continue after that but please check with them from April. They are warm, welcoming spaces where you can enjoy chatting to new friends or just having a hot drink without the pressure to spend money. Make sure you tell any friends or relatives who might be interested in their local warm space – they really are for everyone to enjoy!”

Lily Cockerill, Bid and Marketing Manager at IPL Global, said: “We really wanted to donated to cause that mattered. The current economic climate, energy prices rising and cost of living crisis really is affecting everyone. We wanted to donate to a cause that supported this and something that will assist people through what has been and is a very challenging and difficult time.”

To find your local warm space visit the interactive map.