Leader of the Council, Cllr Baroness O’Neill of Bexley OBE announced a new winter project for 2024 at last night’s (6 November) Council meeting.
The ‘Bexley Boxes’ project will see some of the borough’s most vulnerable housebound residents receive a special box filled with goods designed to keep them warm and well over the winter months.
Working with local businesses and partners, the scheme will see packages filled by Councillors, staff and volunteers and delivered out to those residents who may need it the most.
The boxes will be filled with essentials such as porridge, tinned goods, scarves, hats and warm socks, as well a list of useful contacts and winter wellbeing advice and a special festive treat.
Local community contacts including doctor surgeries and local groups will help to make the links with residents so that as many housebound elderly residents people as possible benefit from a Bexley Box. The scheme will start from the end of November.
Cllr Baroness O’Neill of Bexley OBE said:
Many older Bexley residents have been affected by the Government’s decision to cut in the winter fuel payment.
We care about our older people, they are an important part of our community, but winter can be a cold and very lonely time for those older residents who are unable to leave their homes..
I hope that these boxes will bring a bit of light into the lives of someone who may not be able to get out and about. Just to know you are being thought of and recognised can be the highlight of someone’s day.
We want to make sure our most vulnerable Bexley residents know they are remembered. It is just one way we can continue to #MakeBexleyEvenBetter ”
Approximately 34,000 older residents in Bexley are set to lose the annual winter fuel payment.
The Bexley Box scheme will be funded by generous donations from local businesses.
The boxes are also part funded by the latest allocation of the Government’s Household Support Fund (HSF) from the Department for Work and Pensions.
If you would like to get involved in the scheme either by donating goods or funds or if you or someone you know would like to receive a Bexley Box please email bexleybox@bexley.gov.uk or call 020 8187 7613.
Keep an eye on our news pages, sign up for our enewsletters and follow us on social media using #BexleyBoxes for more information on the Bexley Boxes scheme.
Winter advice, including information on warm spaces and local support, can be on the Cost of living page and in the latest edition of the Bexley magazine that will be delivered to all households from 15 November.