Keeping warm at home during the winter can be difficult, particularly when energy costs are so high. This can be an added worry when you're caring for someone. There is support available across South Tees to help manage energy bills, make homes warmer and safer, and access practical help when you need it.
This page brings together local services, advice and resources in Middlesbrough and Redcar and Cleveland, so you can find out what support is available near you.
Whether you need help with energy bills, are struggling to heat your home, or are looking for somewhere warm and welcoming to go, the following organisations can help.
Support in Middlesbrough
Nine Yards – Affordable Warmth Team
Nine Yards offers free, friendly and practical advice to help people stay warm, safe and comfortable at home. The Affordable Warmth Team can help you understand your energy bills, look at ways to reduce energy costs and find out about grants and other financial support you may be eligible for.
The team can offer one-to-one advice and help you explore options to make your home more energy efficient.
Call: 0800 304 7084
Email: warmhomes@nineyards.org.uk
Read more about the service in our article here
The Junction Foundation
Free Warm Homes Packs are available at The Junction's Family Focus drop-ins across Middlesbrough
and include practical items and information to help save money and stay warm.
Packs can be collected from any of the following Family Focus drop-ins.
- Monday: Abingdon Family Hub, Abingdon Road, TS3 8LF | 12.30pm - 2.30pm,
- Tuesday: North Ormesby Community Hub, Longlands Road, TS3 0JH | 9.15am - 10.30am
- Thursday: Whinney Banks Family Hub, Stainsby Road, TS5 6DS | 9.30am - 11.30am
- Late support sessions are available on Wednesday evenings, 5pm–7pm. Telephone, Teams and Zoom appointments are also available.
Call: 07487 387 787 | 01642 756000
Email: info@thejunctionfoundation.com
Support in Redcar and Cleveland
Warm and Well Team
The Warm and Well Team is based at three sites: South Bank Baptist Church, Redcar Baptist Church,
and Redcar House of Worship. The team offers a friendly local support service which is practical and down-to-earth for people living across Redcar and Cleveland. The team can help with energy saving, budgeting, household bills and other everyday challenges.
A member of the team can meet you either at one of their Church locations, or they can come out to your home where they can talk to you about your energy bills and any financial worries that you have as a result of your energy costs.
Find out more in our article here
Footprints in the Community
Footprints offers free, friendly support to help you manage your household energy bills and get the advice you need. Free SIM cards are also available upon request, and we can help you get online using a smartphone.
Every Tuesday, from 9:30am to 11:30am
Footprints Community Café, 14 High Street, Redcar
Support across South Tees
Cleveland Housing Advice Centre
Cleveland Housing Advice Centre offers support and advice around a range of energy-related issues, including:
- Priority Services Register (PSR)
Carbon monoxide safety
Reducing energy bills
Energy efficiency
Understanding energy bills
Energy debt.
Energy-related support.
Alongside energy advice, they also provide welfare benefits advice and debt advice
Call: 01642 254544
Email: advice@chac92.co.uk
Cleveland Fire Brigade – Stay Safe and Warm
Cleveland Fire Brigade's Stay Safe and Warm scheme offers free support to people who are struggling to
heat their homes. It is available to anyone living in the Cleveland area, with no age restrictions.
Following a free home assessment, people may be offered practical items such as heaters, blankets and hot water bottles, alongside advice on saving energy and making their homes safer and warmer. The team can also signpost people to other sources of support.
Call: 03067 990038
National support and guidance
Priority Services Register
The Priority Services Register is a free service provided by energy and water companies for people who may need extra support during an interruption to their gas, electricity or water supply.
You may be eligible if you are of pensionable age, have a disability or long-term health condition, or have young children. Depending on your circumstances and needs, being on the register may mean receiving additional help during an outage or advance notice of planned interruptions.
It's worth checking whether you or someone you care for could benefit from registering.
Find out more and check eligibility
Warm Home Discount
The Warm Home Discount is a Government scheme that helps eligible households with their electricity costs. If you qualify, you may receive a discount on your electricity bill through your energy supplier.
Eligibility rules apply, so check the latest information to see whether you could receive support.
Other useful websites and articles
Money Saving Expert | https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/heat-the-human-not-the-home-save-energy/
The Red Cross | https://www.redcross.org.uk/stories/health-and-social-care/health/tips-on-keeping-warm-this-winter
Need help finding the right support?
If you're not sure where to start, contact one of the organisations listed above to talk through your circumstances and find out what help may be available.