Help Someone ‘Survive Winter’

The Church has once again thrown its support behind the Surviving Winter appeal, which raises money to help older and vulnerable people stay warm and well in the UK’s coldest months. Last year it helped 130 older households in Wiltshire and 80 in Dorset survive the coldest months.

The campaign started by encouraging generous pensioners to donate their Winter Fuel Allowances, and has now developed into a giving portal for anyone who wants to help support vulnerable people survive the winter. Since November 2011, Surviving Winter has raised £5.5 million and estimate they have helped over 80,000 older people survive winter. 

The appeal is organised by community foundations, which are based locally in every county in England, and have excellent reach in their areas.

Donations are used in a number of ways, including providing warmth packs and blankets, boiler repairs, funding Meals on Wheels and lunch clubs, supporting homeless shelters, providing winter food parcels, helping people pay their energy bills and better insulate their homes.

Bishop Karen has backed Dorset Community Foundation’s appeal, saying, “I’m backing this wonderful initiative which raises donations from those not in need of their winter fuel allowances by ‘recycling’ them to help older people who really need additional support – Dorset people supporting Dorset people in need.  It is a good way of sharing our resources around the county as those better off help those less fortunate’

To donate to the Surviving Winter Appeal :

in Dorset:

• send a cheque made out to Dorset Community Foundation to Surviving Winter, The Spire, High Street, Poole, BH15 1DF;
• telephone 01202 670 815 to donate by credit or debit card;
• donate online here.

In Wiltshire:

• send  a cheque made out to Wiltshire Community Foundation to Surviving Winter, Sandcliff House, 21 Northgate Street, Devizes, SN10 1JT;
• telephone 01380 729 284 to donate by credit or debit card;
• donate online here.

If you or someone you know would benefit from a grant, please contact one of our partners directly. Nobody should have to choose between heating and eating.

In Dorset:

• Grants of up to £200 can be applied for at any local Citizens Advice Bureau in Dorset.

In Wiltshire:

• Age UK Wiltshire - 01380 735500 or 01722 335425
• Aster Living - 01380 735437 or 01793 940094
• Wiltshire Citizens Advice - 03444 111 444