Supporting you

On this page you’ll find links to lots of information about financial help, reducing the energy and water you use, and keeping you and your home healthy.

Help is available for you.

We understand that you might be worried about the cost of running your home with the rising cost of living. You might be worried about feeding your family too. Here are some useful links to areas on our website which provide information on the financial help available, reducing your energy and water use, and keeping you, and your home, healthy.

We are here to help and there’s lots we can do; the most important thing is to let us know. Click here to contact us. 

Keeping you healthy

Did you know, we have a team of dedicated mental health specialists available who can support anyone, even if you’re not an Ongo tenant. It’s important to ask for help if you need it.

Click here to find out more about our free mental health support 

Financial support

We have pulled together financial support available in different areas.

Financial Support Location

North Lincolnshire

Scunthorpe, Brigg, Barton, Epworth, Crowle and surrounding areas

Find out more
Financial Support Location

North East Lincolnshire

Grimsby, Cleethorpes, Immingham, Laceby and surrounding areas

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Financial Support Location

Lincoln

Lincoln and surrounding areas

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Financial Support Location

South Yorkshire

Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham, Sheffield

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Financial Support Location

West Lindsey

Gainsborough, Market Rasen, Scotter, Caistor and other surrounding areas.

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Financial Support Location

Other local areas

Click here if your area is not listed.

Find out more

Energy and water savings

Here are some energy and water saving things you can do right now to reduce the amount you use – helping to save you money.

OngoPhotograph by Richard Walker/ImageNorth

Turn your thermostat down

One of the simplest energy saving tips is turning your heating down a single degree. You might not think such a small amount would make a difference – but according to the Energy Saving Trust, going from 20C to 19C (for example) can cut your heating bill by 10%.

Why not try tuning down your room thermostat and radiator values until you find a temperature you’re comfortable with. People over 65, children under five and those with pre-existing health conditions are more vulnerable to cold temperatures. Make sure you are warm enough and have a minimum indoor temperature of 18°C (setting 2 or 3 on your radiator valves) to ensure you’re healthy and comfortable.

Turning off radiators completely in rooms you are not using is less energy efficient as this means your boiler has to work harder to maintain the temperature of a room you are heating than if kept at a low setting. Turning off radiators can also cause issues with damp and mould.

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Wash your clothes at a lower temperature

Most of us wash at 40C out of habit, but modern washing powders work well at temperatures as low as 20C. Why not try making 30C your standard wash? The lower the temperature, the more energy you’ll save. Although it’s probably best to wash bedding, towels and underwear at a higher temperature – at least 40C.

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Keep your appliances clean

Clean your lint filter of your tumble dryer as often as possible. This will save energy by making sure it runs properly, and reduces the risk of a fire.

Cold-Shower

Shorter showers

Spending one minute less in the shower could save £8 per person a year, and with a water meter, a further £11. Turning the shower on when you get in means that you’re not wasting any water unnecessarily.

More energy savings tips

Click here to find more energy savings tips.

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More financial support

Click here to find out how our financial support team can help.

Find out more

Keeping your home healthy

There are some ways that you can keep your home healthy too.

Condensation is more common in colder weather, because there’s a bigger difference in temperature between the air in your home and the air outside. You can spot condensation as water collecting on the inside of windows or on the window sill.

But whatever the season, it’s really important to try and prevent and remove it, so that it doesn’t lead to further issues such as damp and mould. To remove condensation, simply wipe windows with a cloth so that they are dry. It’s a good idea to open windows for a short period once you’ve done this to allow proper ventilation.

Below are some top tips to help keep your home healthy

If you can, setting your thermostat to the lowest comfortable temperature (between 18 – 21°C) will help to keep you and your home healthy while keeping your energy bills down.

Moving sofas and furniture away from radiators or heaters helps heat travel more effectively around rooms in your home.

If you spot condensation on a surface, wipe it down with a dry, clean cloth or towel.

Twisting radiator valves higher in rooms you want warmer and lower in rooms you don’t use as often helps to save energy and keep your home healthy.

Putting lids on pans when cooking prevents excess moisture in the air and helps save on your energy bill!

Opening windows when cooking, bathing, showering and drying clothes helps moist air escape.

Keeping your home heated where possible helps to prevent condensation from forming on walls, floors and ceilings.

Turning your extractor fan on when cooking, showering and bathing removes excess moisture from the air.

If you have access, drying clothes outside reduces moisture in your home. When using a drying rack indoors, opening a window slightly or turning on your extractor fan helps reduce condensation.

Curtains and rugs help keep your home warm. Ideally, curtains should stop between the windowsill and above radiators. Opening them in the morning and closing them at dusk lets warmth in and keeps cold out.

Closing internal doors and using draught excluders keeps heat in the rooms you use most often, reducing the amount of heat moving into colder areas of your home.