Single Mother's Desperate Struggle with Black Mould in Temporary Home
A 40-year-old single mother from Redbridge, London, has spoken exclusively about the horrifying conditions she and her five-year-old son endure in their temporary accommodation, where severe black mould and condensation permeate their one-bedroom flat. The woman, who wished to remain anonymous, described sleeping right next to a mould-infested window, with walls constantly wet and a pervasive awful smell forcing her to open windows even in winter.
"I’ve been living in temporary accommodation for nearly two years now, after previously staying in a refuge, so there’s never really been a sense of stability," she told the Mirror. "I’m a single mother and I suffer from severe sinus issues and multiple allergies, which are made much worse by the damp. My son is five years old and he’s suffering too. Winter is especially hard for both of us."
Widespread Damp and Mould Crisis Across the UK
New research conducted by Cadent, the UK's largest gas distribution company, reveals the alarming scale of this issue. The study found that 93% of UK residents living in cold, damp homes reported their financial situation has deteriorated as a result, with over four in five (81%) concerned about heating their homes this winter.
The statistics paint a grim picture:
- 63% of people living in damp conditions have reported severe mould
- 65% of those surveyed with respiratory issues have been living in damp homes for more than two years
- 30% admitted to keeping their heating dangerously low to save money – a key driver of damp and mould
- 73% of those living in social housing have been in damp homes for more than two years
- 62% of all those surveyed are struggling to wash and dry their clothes
Heartbreakingly, the research showed many have endured these conditions for an average of five years, putting both physical and mental health at serious risk.
Warm Wash Centres Offer Lifeline to Vulnerable Households
In response to this growing crisis, Cadent has launched a new programme providing urgent support through Warm Wash Centres across 10 of the UK's most deprived areas. These centres offer vulnerable households free access to washing and drying facilities in warm, mould-free environments, along with practical advice on tackling fuel poverty and preventing damp in homes.
Emma Turnbull, Social Programmes Manager at Cadent, shared: "We’re seeing more and more families coming through the doors really struggling with damp and mould conditions. Last week I met a family where a little boy was hospitalised due to damp and mould conditions in their home — he was hospitalised with pneumonia."
The roll-out of these Warm Wash Centres has already begun across Liverpool, Birmingham, Leicester and London, with several more in the pipeline. The initiative represents a crucial intervention for households where winter represents not cosy comfort but a genuine fight for survival.
Community Impact in Newham's Deprived Borough
At The Well Community Centre in Newham, London – consistently ranked as one of the city's most deprived boroughs – the Warm Wash Centre initiative is already making a tangible difference. The community centre serves as a vital hub for Newham's vulnerable population, providing not just practical facilities but also a warm, safe environment away from hazardous home conditions.
Amarjit Kaur, a mother-of-five who has lived in her current home for 35 years, shared her experience: "I have had to battle persistent and severe mould and damp issues all my life, sharing that I have 'never known any other reality'. Even in the depths of winter, I am unable to keep the heating on for too long in my home."
For vulnerable households like Amarjit's, initiatives like the Warm Wash Centres make daily life more bearable, offering both practical support and a much-needed respite from the constant struggle against damp and mould that plagues so many UK homes during the ongoing cost of living crisis.
