Free service to help residents in Thatcham and Newbury stay warm - West Berkshire Draughtbusters

A free service to help residents stay warmer this winter

Who we are

A team of volunteers based around the Newbury area who are fully insured to undertake simple draught proofing work in residents’ homes. Draughtbusters is a registered charity and is supported by several local organisations.

What we do

We visit residents’ homes, make an assessment and immediately start to fix cold draughts. Typically this means ?lling gaps around doors and windows, but we may deal with other easy to fix problems as we ?nd them. By reducing draughts, we make houses warmer, more comfortable and reduce heating bills.

How we work

We are put in touch with suitable clients by West Berkshire Council and local charities. We always work in pairs and ask for the householder’s consent for anything we do. We will follow up with a call to make sure the resident is satis?ed with their visit. Volunteers provide personal references and are trained before conducting visits

Why we fix draughts

Draughts make homes colder, so fixing them reduces heating bills and makes homes better places to live in. Savings will vary greatly, but can be as much as £100 per year

Eligibility

Anyone in or at risk of fuel poverty. We ask for referrals from relevant organisations.

Areas we cover

We are starting with a focus on Newbury and Thatcham. We may be able to expand to cover other areas in the future.

Costs to residents

The service and materials are free to eligible residents. If clients would like to contribute financially that is appreciated, but not expected. Materials cost around £40 for each visit.

Our funding

We are currently seeking grants from several organisations and donations from individuals.

How to refer someone

We accept referrals from Citizens Advice Bureau and West Berkshire Council Adult Social Care and other agencies  Referring organisations please use on the ‘Contact Us’ page on our website.  If you are an individual needing the help, please go to our website or Facebook page for more details