Free service to help residents in Thatcham and Newbury stay warm - West Berkshire Draughtbusters
Last updated: 21/11/2022
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 proo?ng 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 ?x cold draughts. Typically this means ?lling gaps around doors and windows, but we may deal with other easy to ?x 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 ?x draughts
Draughts make homes colder, so ?xing 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 only. Referring organisations please use on the ‘Contact Us’ page on our website. If you are an individual needing the help, please contact one those organisations to refer you.
West Berkshire Adult Social Care
Citizens Advice Bureau West Berkshire
Who to contact
West Berkshire Council do not promote or endorse any of the services listed in this Directory. For more information on this please read our disclaimer.