Autumn’s chill is here, and so are the rising bills — but we’ve found a hidden set of grants that could make your home warmer and cheaper before winter hits.

This week we’ll also show you how to grab a free NHS health check, where to catch London’s most dazzling riverside festival, and put two famous Saffas head-to-head in a spotlight showdown.

And for Fun Stuff, we’ll bring you back to the kitchen with a winter hobby every South African will love — making your own drywors at home.

Here’s a perk most people miss: if you’re between 40 and 74, you can get a free NHS health check at Boots, Superdrug, or your local pharmacy. It’s a 20-minute MOT that covers blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes risk.

It’s quick, painless, and could spot problems before they get serious. Back home we’d pay out of pocket for this kind of screening — here it’s free, just underused.

Booking is simple. Ask at the pharmacy counter or check online at the official page 👉 NHS Health Check and you’ll walk out with peace of mind and no bill attached.

London’s Thames will come alive on Sunday 28 September with the spectacular River of Light Parade, the closing highlight of the Totally Thames Festival. Picture a flotilla of illuminated boats drifting past Tower Bridge and the Shard, glowing art installations, and fireworks above.

It’s free, vibrant, and one of those “only in London” nights where the city feels like it belongs to everyone. Families can join lantern-making in the afternoon, while the evening builds to music, food, and a buzzing firework finale.

Quick info:

Two South Africans are dominating UK headlines, but for very different reasons. Charlize Theron is everywhere — promoting Atomic Blonde 2, partnering with UK charities, and flying the flag for South African youth and wildlife causes. At 50, she’s Hollywood royalty with her heart still firmly in Benoni.

Then there’s Elon Musk, who just made waves by calling for sweeping political change in Britain. Love him or hate him, he’s never far from the spotlight. Some see him as a champion of free speech and innovation, others as too divisive — but either way, he gets people talking.

Both carry the South African story into the world in their own way. The question is: who do you think is the number one Saffa in the UK spotlight right now?

Winter in the UK is long, dark, and chilly — but that makes it the perfect time to pick up a hobby that warms your home and connects you back to SA. Making your own drywors is easier than you think, and the heat from the drying box even takes the edge off those frosty evenings.

All you need is a good spice mix, casings, a sausage stuffer, and a drying machine. Mix, stuff, hang, and wait — and before long your kitchen smells like home. It’s fun, satisfying, and a proper Saffa talking point when friends visit.

👉 Get the Full Drywors Recipe Here
👉 Shop the Kit in Our SA Connect UK Shop

The shop’s got everything from spice packs to casings, stuffers, and dryers — plus all the usual South African goodies delivered straight to your door. It’s where Sarah and I buy our rusks (cheaper than our local SA shop!) and it keeps this newsletter alive.

Give drywors a go this winter. You’ll save pennies, warm your home, and bring a little SA sunshine indoors while you wait for summer to come back.

Autumn’s here, the chill is creeping in, and winter bills aren’t far behind. But here’s the good news: the UK’s Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) scheme can fund free or heavily subsidised upgrades that make your home warmer and cut your bills.

Most people don’t realise they qualify. Homeowners, renters, and pensioners may all be eligible, yet fewer than one in ten apply. Energy companies don’t advertise it either — it costs them money, so the grants go under the radar.

The upgrades are life-changing. Loft insulation alone can save £200–£400 a year, a new boiler up to £500, and a heat pump as much as £1,000 while boosting your property’s value. It’s a serious win-win.

Checking eligibility takes five minutes. Head to Simple Energy Advice or eco4grants.co.uk, pop in your postcode, income, and home details, and you’ll be matched with approved providers who handle the survey and install.

And if you don’t qualify, ask your local council about LA Flex schemes. Many councils extend grants to people just outside the income thresholds, so it’s worth a quick check.

South Africans in the UK know how to handle sunshine, but winters here can be brutal. A warmer, cheaper home means more comfort, less stress, and more money left over for life’s good stuff.

Autumn in the UK can feel long and heavy, but it’s also a chance to find hidden perks that make life warmer, cheaper, and more connected.

Next week we’ll share another Saffa-friendly tip that turns an ordinary UK day into something special — don’t miss it.

Troy & Sarah