The Leeds Winter WarmthScheme 2012/13

An Evaluation Summary from Health Together

Jenny Woodward, Jacqueline Karuhanga and Judy White

Evaluation Aims

• To ascertain views on the need for the fund

• To explore the implementation process of the intervention

• To explore links between the intervention and health outcomes

• To explore how organisations delivered services, reached clients and worked with other stakeholders

• To inform the operation of possible future schemes with good practice, any issues and suggestions for improvements identified

What We Did

• Qualitative approach:– 17 scheme beneficiaries participated in four focus groups (MSc

research thesis)

– Ten stakeholder telephone interviews

– Data collected between June and September 2013

– All conversations recorded, transcribed and analysed thematically

What did the beneficiary’s say? • Support included:

– Installation, repair and servicing of heating equipment – Energy efficiency improvements – Provision of warm clothing – Taking part in social activities

• Help was greatly appreciated‘..in winter when you get a cold one, especially me with diabetes and getting elderly, it is really terrible. I have had a few in previous years where I have really suffered. So, having the house at a reasonable temperature and keeping myself warm, that adds to the extent of my health…’

Key benefits (Beneficiaries)

• Anxiety was reduced and people less stressed– No longer facing the winter with unreliable heating they couldn’t afford to put

on– “Last winter was a worry on the mind; but I feel more confident facing (the)

winter that is coming”

• Moving around more and feeling more comfortable

• Less susceptible to cold related illness

• Social activities particularly appreciated – Getting out of their homes to meet others and get a hot meal

Key limitations and successes (Beneficiaries)

• Some still not putting heating on:– Preference or worry re fuel bills

• High levels of trust in the agencies delivering services:– The care, honesty and professionalism of staff was greatly appreciated

What did the stakeholders say?

• Universal consensus of the need for a scheme to help Leeds people keep warm:– Poverty and thermally inefficient homes

• High demand:– Many organisations felt they were only able to ‘scratch the surface.’

“What a difference it’s made to the lives of older, disabled and people on low income and people with health conditions that maybe otherwise would have been unable to do that work themselves.”

A Network of Local Organisations• Using local organisations meant:

– The scheme could proceed at short notice– Beneficiaries were more likely to trust them

• Vulnerable people were reached by organisations:– Using existing contacts and structures – Pro-active outreach work– Linking with other neighbourhood or community organisations

• All the people reached were vulnerable in some way. However not all vulnerable people were reached

Success factors and issues(Stakeholders)

• Co-ordinating the work for beneficiaries important:– Lack of confidence and ability to manage contractors

• Referring beneficiaries between organisations critical:– Ensured they received the most appropriate support– Organisations referred internally, between partners and to external bodies

• Lack of time to implement was a key issue:– Increased stress and pressure for organisations– Uncertainty for potential beneficiaries

Overall Recommendations• Fund similar schemes for forthcoming winters, across Leeds and England.

• Utilise similar delivery model consisting of a network of local organisations.

• Link into other health and wellbeing and social-care agendas, particularly for older people.

• Embrace a wide definition of who is vulnerable

• Build in more planning time

• Involve other organisations including schools, the health service and others

Further Reading• Evaluation Of Fuel Poverty Interventions In Leeds: A Case Study of Warm

Homes Healthy People (Whhp) Initiative. By Jacqueline Karuhanga

• The Leeds Winter Warmth Campaign: Stakeholder Evaluation.By Jenny Woodward, Judy White, Karina Kinsella, Gianfranco

Giuntoli, Anke Roexe

• Any questions?