Doris lives in Lewisham and decided to visit the Warm Hub at Orchard Gardens Community (run jointly by Catbytes Digital Community and Clarion Futures) which opened in January 2024. Doris lives on her own and wanted to try the Warm Hub to engage with other people, try new activities and get some free support and advice.

Doris expressed an interest in one of the FREE Warm Packs on offer and signed up for a pack and the FREE Energy Saving Advice Session (run by Tristan Owen, Altrist Energy working with Catbytes). The talk included:

• FREE advice on how to use the items in the Warm Packs which include: electric blanket, slow cooker, timer plug and door draught proofing.
• FREE energy saving tips and advice in the home e.g. help with energy bills

Doris has found the Warm Pack very useful and the items she benefits the most from include the electric blanket & throw, slow cooker and plug in timer. She also really appreciated the FREE energy saving advice session and is already applying some of the energy saving tips such as turning off appliances on standby, turning off lights, bleeding the radiators and having 4 min showers! Doris liked the Warm Hub so much she now attends every week and has recommended it to friends! She is also going to attend the Digital Drop In session at the Warm to learn more about using her smartphone and laptop.

“The Warm Hub is a place where I can come when it is cold, meet others and make friends and also get really useful support and energy saving advice. I am very happy with my Warm Pack and have been using all the items in the pack. I am really grateful for the support and advice I have received and I have been encouraging my friends to come along to the Warm Hub.”