Lifeline laundry service in Leicester bringing relief to those suffering from damp and mould
By the end of winter, Cadent is aiming to help over 50,000 vulnerable households through initiatives
An initiative where people across Leicester suffering with cold and damp homes can wash their clothes in a designated centre has been called a "lifeline".
New research by Cadent Gas has revealed the realities of fuel poverty and poor housing conditions across the UK, with people enduring cold, damp homes for an average of five years.
The research also sheds light on the impact of living in a cold and damp home, with many reporting a musty smell (41%), poor quality sleep (33%), needing to sleep with extra clothing layers (32%), the impact on their mental health (29%), the worry about their children’s health (27%) and the impact on their physical health (25%).
In response to the new data, Cadent is launching a new programme to provide urgent support to households grappling with fuel poverty and issues of damp and mould, including:
- Warm Wash Centres: Offering washing, drying and warm facilities in 10 of the UK’s most deprived areas, beginning in Liverpool, Birmingham, Leicester and London. These centres will not only provide immediate relief for families struggling in damp housing conditions but will also serve as hubs for energy efficiency and gas safety advice, empowering families to take proactive steps to combat fuel poverty.
- Engineer training: A team of specialist engineers have been trained to identify signs of damp in homes, creating a new referral system to signpost towards available support from charity partners.
- Behavioural change tips for households: Partnering with the Groundwork, Cadent will deliver actionable advice to help families cope with challenging conditions, including energy efficiency tips on maintaining a regular home temperature of between 18-21 degrees.
By the end of winter, Cadent is aiming to help over 50,000 vulnerable households through these initiatives.
Jenny De-young, a 64-year-old woman from Leicester, has lived for nearly three years without fully-functioning heating in her one-bedroom bungalow. The cold and damp conditions have caused severe mould to spread throughout her home - making everyday life a constant struggle and seriously affecting her health.
Already living with lymphedema and heart problems, Jenny says the state of her home has left her feeling isolated and anxious.
The damp and mould have taken hold of areas in her home, including the bathroom, kitchen, and bedroom. As a result, Jenny has resorted to sleeping in her front room to escape the severe mould.
She said: “I have come to the point where I’ve had to move out of my bedroom into the front room because it’s the safer area without too much mould.
“I’m inhaling this mould... and living in these conditions is having a real impact on my physical health.”
The lack of heating and damp environment has also made daily tasks such as washing and drying her clothes a struggle. Without a dryer, her wet clothes take much longer to dry, causing further condensation and worsening the mould problem.
She said: “It’s like a vicious circle, and I’ve suffered for two winters without heating. Although some maintenance work has been carried out, the radiators are lukewarm at best - I’m really worried about the upcoming winter.”
Jenny’s living situation has not only impacted her financially by trying to buy products to help get rid of the mould, but has also taken a toll on her mental health.
Jenny said: "It’s affected my mental health. I struggle to sleep because I’m so cold. I’ll make a hot drink, but it only keeps me warm for so long."
Through the Stay Warm Stay Well programme, funded by the Cadent Foundation and delivered in partnership with Wesley Hall in Leicester, Jenny received a heated blanket to support her wellbeing during the colder months.
Jenny said: “That blanket has literally saved my life. Otherwise, I would have been freezing throughout all winter.
“I would never wish for anyone to live in this kind of cold environment. Coming up to winter, I use the centre more frequently as a place to stay warm. I feel like I am better off in the centre because I don’t want to go back home. What am I going back to? I’m going back to a cold, damp environment, and it’s no way to live.”