Frome's Healthy Homes team are back in 2024, offering free advice and practical support to help residents improve the energy efficiency of their home and save money on bills. Drop-in energy cafes are due to run from 10am to 4pm at Frome Library on the following dates:

• Wednesday 7th Feb
• Monday 19th Feb
• Wednesday 6th March
• Monday 18th March
• Wednesday 3rd April
• Wednesday 1st May
• Wednesday 5th June

Energy café drop-ins run from 10am to 4pm and are open to all Frome residents. Warmer homes are better for mental and physical health, and for reducing the risk of mould, damp and damage to the fabric of buildings.

However, older properties in particular can be expensive to heat, and less efficient in maintaining a comfortable temperature. Improving insulation in homes can reduce bills and, at the same time, reduce the carbon footprint of keeping a warm home. Healthy Homes can advise on both short and long-term solutions, and signpost to grant funding where it is available.

The Healthy Homes team supports local residents to make their homes warmer, drier, greener and cheaper to run. Energy Advice Officers have received training from the Centre for Sustainable Energy (CSE) and work closely with them on developing and delivering the project.

The Healthy Homes team is part of Green and Healthy Frome, a collaboration between Frome Medical Practice, Edventure and Frome Town Council, funded by the National Lottery's Climate Action Fund (CAF).

Resilience Officer and Healthy Homes coordinator Jo Morris said: "Being cold in your home is bad for your health, and it's depressing, too. The economic climate and energy price rises have made many people hesitate to turn their heating on, just because of the cost, but what if you're also paying for heating that isn't efficient?

"Our free advice sessions are here to help you keep warm through the winter, look after the environment and save money, all at the same time. Come and chat to us at the Energy café in the library about the various options, including funding for improvements to heating systems."

Further information about the support available through Healthy Homes, including future drop-in Energy café dates, home visits and grant funding can be found on the Frome Town Council website at https://bit.ly/Fromehealthyhomes. Enquiries can also be sent via email to [email protected].