Introduction
Mr. M, a 78-year-old retired hospital worker who volunteers at Lonsdale Community Centre, has lived in his current home in Hull with his retired wife.
Sharing his story, Mr. M expressed how appreciative he was to the Warm Homes Team and Pro Gas Services in helping him access a grant to enable a much-needed heating upgrade:
Before the heating grant upgrade
Mr. M recollected what it was like to live in the house before the heating upgrade had taken place on his home:
“My 14-year-old boiler was not working efficiently anymore, and I couldn’t heat my property properly. The radiators were not able to get hot which meant we were feeling the cold. This has had a negative effect on my health. I have limited mobility, spondylosis and suffered from a stroke back in 2011 which has meant that not being able to heat my home has worsened my health.”
“I contacted multiple private companies, but they were all requesting full payment for a boiler replacement which me and my wife could just not afford on our pensions. We were not in a financial position to have the work carried out. We were both really worried about not being able to stay warm over winter and the impact it would have on our health.”
Heating Upgrades under the Household Support Fund
We asked Mr M about how he first came to hear about the grants that the Warm Homes Team could offer:
“I attended the Londsdale Community centre where I volunteer, and I saw the Warm Homes Team flyer. I spoke with the council who told me more information about the Warm Homes Team and how they could help me. After the phone call I went online to apply.”
“A few days after I had applied online, Pro Gas Services visited my home to complete my Warm Homes Team application. After going through my information on the application they let me know that I would qualify for one of the Warm Homes Grants under the household income eligibility route and so they arranged for a quote.”
Mr M was very appreciative of the support he received:
“When they came to carry out the quote, they told me that the boiler wasn’t working efficiently and within two weeks of applying, the Warm Homes Team had confirmed I qualified, the boiler had been installed, and it cost me nothing!”
Mr. M expressed his gratitude since receiving the new boiler installation:
“I was pleasantly surprised at how quickly my application went through from start to finish! The workmen who came to install the boiler were very pleasant and cleaned up after themselves. I told them I was worried about me and my wife not needing to use the boiler with it being summer, but they told me that they could come back to my property in the colder months to show us how to use to our new boiler.”
We asked Mr M how he felt about the additional support provided:
“I was really surprised that they offered to visit again to show us how to use our heating system, but thought it was a great service and I’ve taken them up on it.”
“Not only did Pro Gas revisit my home, but the Warm Homes Team also carried out a benefit check to make sure my wife and I were in receiving all the correct benefits that we are entitled to.”
Impact of the new boiler installation after receiving the heating grant on Mr. Ms quality of life
We asked Mr. M about the impact that the heating upgrade have had on his day-to-day quality of life:
“Our home is now comfortable and warm. We’re able to heat our whole house much better now and I feel much more confident about winter knowing we have had a new boiler fitted.”
“My health is no longer being worsened by a cold home, and I feel happy knowing we don’t have to worry about relying on our old boiler keeping us warm and well. I was really worried before finding out about the support the Warm Homes Team could offer.”
Asked about how often he has his heating on now that the heating upgrade has taken place, Mr. M responded:
We also asked Mr. M what his experience was with his grant application and heating upgrade and what his wife thought about the works:
“I’m very happy with the way my application was dealt with. Any questions I had were dealt with in a satisfactory, timely and professional manner.”
“My wife is also very happy, it was causing us both a lot of stress as we were both worried about how we were going to afford a new boiler, but now it’s all sorted and we’re able to stay warm this winter.”
Overall Reflections
Asked if he would recommend the Warm Homes Team to friends and family, Mr. M replied:
“I would definitely recommend the Warm Homes Team to others. I’m really pleased with the whole process and the support received, especially as I didn’t know such a service was available!”
