Cold weather advice

Stay warm

Being cold isn't just uncomfortable, it can also be very bad for your health, especially if you have a pre-existing health condition.

Prepare your home for winter weather

There are several tasks you can do to prepare your home and garden for winter weather.

  • Winter home advice - includes advice from the Met Office on how to prepare your home for severe weather, what to do if you have a frozen or burst pipe and what to do in a power cut.
  • Avoid a burst water pipe - United Utilities shows you the simple steps you can take to avoid a burst or frozen pipe as the temperature drops.
  • Flooding - prepare for a flood and what to do if you've been affected by a flood.
  • Home Fire Safety Assessments - apply to Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue for a free home assessment to reduce and prevent fire risks.
  • Power cuts and emergencies - information on power cuts from Electricity North West.
  • Register for Electricity North West's Extra Care - If you think you might struggle during a power cut, you can sign up for Electricity North West's Extra Care for free. This is designed for people with particular needs. For example, if you need medical equipment in your home, older people, or families with young children.

Money, debt and benefit advice

We offer a wide range of money, debt and benefit advice. This includes advice about money, energy bills, childcare, food banks, and more.

Stay well and healthy

Winter weather brings several health risks.

  • COVID-19 vaccines and boosters - the impact of COVID-19 may be worse in the winter. You may be able to get a vaccine or booster.
  • Flu jabs - the flu vaccine is free for people over 50 years old or who have certain health conditions.
  • Living Well Rochdale - provides support and coaching around exercising, stopping smoking, and feeling better about yourself. 
  • Your Trust - offers a range of activities at sports and leisure centres to keep you active and healthy throughout winter.
  • Get advice if you feel unwell - you can get help and advice from:
    • Your local pharmacy for a range of minor illnesses and can tell you if you need to see a doctor.
    • Your GP may be able to speak with you online, over the phone, or in a face-to-face appointment.
    • NHS 111 if you have an urgent medical problem and you're not sure what to do. NHS 111 online

Stay connected

Keep in touch with friends, family and your community. It's important to check on elderly or vulnerable relatives or neighbours during bad weather.

  • Apply to borrow a laptop or tablet - you may be able to borrow a laptop or tablet from your local DigiTech Library to use at home. You can also apply for free data.
  • Community Champions - if you need someone to talk to, you can contact Community Champions to chat about your mental health, get support with debt and benefits, and get help connecting with other people online.
  • HMR Circle - a membership-based service for people aged over 50. They have a monthly calendar of social events including meals, day trips, and more. They also have volunteers who can help with gardening, housework and technology.
  • Rochdale and District Mind - if you're struggling with your mental health, you can get support from Mind. They can support you through one-to-one sessions, counselling, support groups and wellbeing courses.

Help your community

Look out for each other - it's important to check on elderly or vulnerable relatives or neighbours during bad weather. 

  • Clear snow from a road, path or cycleway - it’s unlikely that you’ll be sued or held responsible if someone is injured on a path or pavement if you’ve cleared it carefully.
  • Contribute to a food bank - if you're able to, please consider donating food or money to a local food bank: 
  • Volunteer

Travel advice

Travelling during the winter months can make driving or catching public transport more difficult.

Gritting, salt and winter related content