FREE Healthy Homes For Tylorstown And Penrhys Residents
Tylorstown and Penrhys residents enjoyed a day of free information, activities and even beauty treatments as part of the Council’s ongoing work to promote Healthy Homes and lifestyles there.
The event was organised and funded by Rhondda Cynon Taf Council in conjunction with Cwm Taf University Health Board, Communties First and Drink Wise, Age Well as part of an ongoing initiative to address some of the health, housing and lifestyle issues faced by residents in the area.
It was held to promote the Healthy Homes scheme which offers all residents, whether they own their own home or rent from a private landlord, the chance to have a free survey of their home to identify any hazards that might be affecting their health and wellbeing.
It is well recognised that the condition of your home can have an effect on your health and overall wellbeing and housing problems such as feeling insecure, trip or fall hazards, damp and mould and disrepair can all have a negative impact on how you feel.
As a result, Healthy Homes offers free surveys in which issues are identified and funding offered to get them addressed, this can be anything from installing a door chain, smoke detector or handrail on the stairs to new fencing and renovation of rooms where needed.
A total of 178 surveys have been completed and 93 grants have already been offered to residents who took part in the first round of surveys last year.Surveys are due to reccomence on April 1, with people invited to book their free, no-obligation survey now.
To provide more information about the Healthy Homes Scheme and provide residents with tips and information on the other services on hand to assist them live a better quality of life, a community event was held at Tylorstown Welfare Hall.
It featured stalls and activities from:
- Drink wise, age well
- Youth Offending Service
- Care and Repair, who have been commissioned by the Council to carry out some of the smaller repairs and installations required by Healthy Homes.
- Too good to waste
- Public Health Wales/Stop Smoking Wales
- Sheppards Pharmacy
- Rowan Tree Cancer Care
- RCT Homes
- Interlink
- The Ferns
- Coleg Morgannwg
- TEDS
- Communities First
- Alzheimer’s Society
- Ignite Up
- Citizen’s advice
- Age Connects Morgannwg
- Job Centre Plus/Department for Work and Pensions
- Cwm Taf Health Board Pharmaceutical Services
- Rhondda Housing
- NEST – Welsh Government home energy efficiency
- RCT Environmental health and grants officers
- Older person’s strategy
- Street care
- Community Safety Partnership
- Family Information Service
- Leisure Services
- Adult Education
As well as offering information on adult education and learning, Coleg Morgannwg also brought along some of its hair and beauty students, who were able to use their new-found skills on residents.
Cllr Keiron Montague, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Tackling Poverty, Engagement and Housing, said: “A huge thank you to all the partner agencies who showed their support for this important event and, of course, to the residents who came along, showed their support and, hopefully, left with lots of information and advice on what we can all do to help them live healthier lifestyles.
“The event was a chance to showcase the Healthy Homes initiative and also encourage people to sign up for their free survey.
“Healthy Homes may sound too good to be true but it really is open to all and free to get involved.
“An expert housing officer will survey your home and look at issues such as damp, energy efficiency, security and more and complete a report with recommended action which will be sent to the homeowner. There is then a chance to secure a grant, which does not have to be paid back, to put in place the measures that will help you create a healthier home and, ultimately, a healthier lifestyle.”
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