A SUCCESSFUL safety scheme will continue thanks to a £500,000 Government funding windfall.

The expansion of the Safer Homes project, run by County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service, Durham County Council and Durham Police, was announced yesterday (Thursday, September 11).

The project is one of 33 bids nationally to receive a share of a £9m investment.

It was developed by the Safe Durham Partnership, with the aim of building on the successes of the award-winning ‘Total Home Safety initiative’.

Safer Homes will transform the way in which isolated, vulnerable and elderly people receive crime and fire safety advice as well as protection.

Along with practical help to make homes safer, this ambitious project will also work to improve the health and well-being of those people involved.

Rather than relying on people to access services themselves, the project will reach out to people in their own homes.

This will be done by contacting people through friends, neighbours, carers, monthly ‘Police and Community Together’ meetings, front-line practitioners, hospital discharge planning, care connect, adult learning and many other services.

Susan Johnson, chief executive of the fire service, said: “This funding will help us to expand our Safer Homes project and deliver more support to those most at risk in our communities.

"We want people to feel safe, and be safe, in their homes.

"Practical advice combined with specialist safety and security equipment can be life-saving, particularly for those who are elderly, isolated or vulnerable.

"Our strong partnership approach means we are able to pool resources and share information to ensure we reach as many people as possible and make the most of our joint expertise and professional knowledge.”