'I'm worried the cold weather will isolate me'

Jack Mee said he enjoyed the company he received from his carers

There have been fears for elderly and vulnerable people, with temperatures due to sit near freezing over the next few days.

Jack Mee, from Ipswich, has sight issues and struggles with his mental health. He has been supported by Primary Homecare - a home assistance service in Suffolk.

He has worried about the cold weather leaving him isolated, but one of his carers - Dephine Nhidza - said she would make sure her clients stayed safe and warm.

The chief executive of Age UK in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, Melanie Pittock, has encouraged everyone to keep their heating on during the cold snap, with help available to pay for it.

'I'd go downhill'

Mr Mee, 75, explained socialising could be hard for him and the cold weather posed a greater risk of him struggling to get out.

However, he said his carers gave him "confidence that there's somebody going to be about in case I should be ill or anything like that".

"They have a chat [with me], which is the bulk of the time," he added.

He said his carers helped him with his medication too.

Dephine Nhidza said a number of her clients had been in and out of hospital with cold weather related illnesses

Ms Nhidza said her job was even more important during the cold weather, helping her clients stay warm.

She said elderly people would often become dehydrated, because of forgetting to drink with the heating on.

"I'm really particular about the hydration part - it seems like a lot people think that when it's cold they just have to keep warm, they tend to forget that the heating causes dehydration to their bodies," she said.

"The elderly do not need to be dehydrated whatsoever."

She added the cold weather also posed a risk to carers.

"It can be challenging at times. I come out of my car, go out in the harsh weather.

"Some of the houses have their heating on, some are low, and sometimes you can feel the body complaining from different types of temperatures."

Prema Fairburn-Dorai said her team had a messaging app that could inform staff of disruption on the roads

Prema Fairburn-Dorai is the owner and director of Primary Healthcare.

She said the team would be instructed to ensure their clients were warm, with plenty of food and drink.

"We have had clients who have been afraid to put on the heating because they can't afford to pay the bills, and if they're not warm then we have to encourage them to put on the heating," she said.

The service also has someone on standby to hire out 4x4 vehicles during snowy conditions.

"Not only are our clients ill, our carers are dropping like flies," she continued.

"We've all had colds one after the other, and these are nasty because it takes a good five or six days to recover from it properly.

"It's almost like having Covid and I think that is the difference this winter - it's because it's just so severe."

Melanie Pittock said she feared many people would fear putting on their heating

Ms Pittock said Age UK was "really concerned" about the cold weather too - as well as the fact some pensioners were not due to get their winter fuel allowance, due to government changes.

"Our advice to people is to seek support in terms of grants, and the Household Support Fund which comes from central government down to local authorities is being managed locally," she said.

"It may be that you're entitled to a winter grant that could pay for your heating or your groceries."

Ms Pittock also encouraged people to make use of warm hubs, where hot meals and drinks are on offer.

"Our general message is please do use your heating, and we will seek ways and help you to pay for that by looking at what other options are financially available to you."