“My home was very damp and now it is nice and warm and dry” – Margaret’s Story

Maureen is in her late 80’s and lives alone in her bungalow in Middleton. Her two sons provide loving care and support which help manage her respiratory and mobility issues easier. In summer 2024, she became aware of some damp problems in her home and, recognised the link between damp and her health, decided to reach out to the council to see if they could help.

Rochdale Borough Council referred Maureen to Groundwork and within a few days, Green Doctor, Adam visited Maureen to assess the house. He noticed several visible signs of damp, including a large leak in her bedroom.

After completing the relevant forms, Adam set about sourcing suitable contractors who could address the damp. When the contractors assessed her home a week later, they discovered her roof was rotted through and she needed a full replacement.

At first Maureen was panicked by the thought of such a large piece of work, however Adam explained that the home improvements could be funded through the Warm Homes programme. This was a huge relief for Maureen who had no savings other than what she had set aside for her funeral. 

Work was completed by the contractor at the backend of 2024, when Adam revisited Maureen to check the work had gone well and that she was feeling more comfortable in her home. She commented,

“Thank you very much, having a new roof has made such a big difference to me. My home was very damp and now it is nice and warm and dry.”