Staff from a housing society have spent the last week ensuring elderly East Enders aren’t left behind in the cold this winter.

Gateway Housing’s Winter Warmers programme involves staff volunteers visiting residents aged 70 and above at their homes to perform checks on their welfare, wellbeing, warmth and safety.

Since last Monday, specially trained staff began checking windows, doors and radiators, as well as smoke alarms, to help keep older residents warm and safe throughout the colder months

“The preventative approach is key. It is so important that people who may lack other support have someone going in to check on them,” said Cllr Amy Whitelock Gibbs, speaking at a launch event at Ted Roberts House, Bethnal Green.

“Being able to notice signs such as neglect and signpost them to social care is one of the key reasons why Winter Warmers is so important.

“The work of the Council directly links with this and I hope we will be able to work with Gateway and learn from what they are doing and help others to do similar good practice.”

The Winter Warmers initiative runs until February when staff will conduct follow up checks.