Who we are

Warm and Safe Wiltshire is a service provided by Wiltshire Council, Swindon Borough Council, Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service in partnership with the Centre for Sustainable Energy to help residents live in safer and healthier homes. 

Meet Our Staff

Rachel Kent

Public Health Consultant

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Wiltshire Council

Rachel coordinates the management of the Warm & Safe Wiltshire service and uses her skills as a public health specialist to ensure people across Wiltshire are benefitting from warmer and more comfortable homes.

David Miles

Affordable Warmth Coordinator

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Swindon Borough Council

David coordinates the management of the Warm & Safe Wiltshire service and supports people across Swindon to combat fuel poverty.

Jessica Thimbleby

Caseworker

Salisbury District Hospital

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Centre for Sustainable Energy

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Jessica works closely with the Integrated Discharge Service to provide 1-2-1 support home energy advice to patients at risk of returning to a cold home. 

Jessica can also accept community referrals for anyone who has a long term health condition impacted by a cold home.

Vanecia Halpin

Caseworker

Great Western Hospital, Swindon

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Centre for Sustainable Energy

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Vanecia works closely with the Integrated Discharge Service to provide 1-2-1 support home energy advice to patients at risk of returning to a cold home. 

Vanecia can also accept community referrals for anyone who has a long term health condition impacted by a cold home.

Hospital casework

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In 2019 CSE partnered with Great Western Hospital in Swindon to work with ward managers, discharge nurses, occupational therapists and social care services to ensure that, following their stay, patients aren't going home to cold houses or to broken or inadequate heating systems that put their health at risk and may mean they end up back in hospital.  A similar pilot was trialled at Salisbury District Hospital and following the success of both pilots we have been awarded funding for 2 new caseworkers at the hospitals until August 2022. 

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Elliot, who was the caseworker for both the hospital pilot projects, will remain involved on a part-time basis to support Vanecia and Jessica as they develop the service.

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Cold and damp homes can cause illness and exacerbate existing health conditions such as circulatory problems, diabetes and arthritis, and mental illnesses like depression and anxiety. Respiratory conditions, like asthma, are made worse by the cold or by the damp and mould which is often found in under-heated, poorly ventilated homes. People with certain disabilities, children and the elderly also fall into higher risk categories. 

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The health risks associated with cold homes is recognised by the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) who published guidance on this which recommends that the health service should engage with efforts to make homes less cold and less damp.