Leaking pipe woes solved by Lightbulb service

A couple whose bathroom was constantly under water due to leaking pipes have put their flooding woes behind them thanks to a Home Support Grant through Blaby District Council’s Lightbulb service. 

The leak in the Victorian home of pensioners Yvonne and David Spicer led to the bathroom flooring being ripped up and months of mopping which barely brought respite from the deluge. 

The pair, aged 65 and 75, and both coping with ill health, were in despair, having no way to raise the £3,000 they’d been quoted for repairs and unsure where to turn. 

Yvonne said: "When the leak happened we were so worried. We were both afraid of slipping on the wet concrete floor which I was mopping 15 plus times daily even though I have arthritis and a replaced knee. Each mopping session bought us just 10 minutes of a dry floor. Our granddaughter is nine and visits with my son and family regularly and she was also afraid of falling on the wet floor.  

"We were both very low as we had no way of raising the funds for repairs. We have no savings and any spare money we have goes on taxis for hospital appointments as David has many serious health conditions and we do not drive or own a car."   

Then a call to their local council, Oadby and Wigston, pointed them in the direction of Lightbulb, a county-wide service based at Blaby District Council which supports residents to remain safe, well and independent in their own homes. 

Yvonne spoke to the team, and after providing the relevant information was asked to get two quotes with a view to benefiting from a Home Support Grant. 

Home Support Grants are a relatively new grant scheme from local authorities offering residents up to £5,000 to pay for improvements, repairs or additions which allow them to stay safe, secure and comfortable in their own homes. 

With the Spicers meeting the criteria for the grant, they secured a tradesman and works took place before Christmas. Throughout the grant process a Lightbulb officer was on hand to assist and advise, ensuring a smooth journey. 

Yvonne said: "We are so very grateful to Lightbulb. We found the process very quick and straightforward. David and I highly recommend this wonderful service. Lightbulb kept in touch with us throughout the process and we felt confident that Lightbulb did care about the issue we were having. We highly recommend Lightbulb to anyone where some property issue needs to be sorted and funds are not available. Thank you Lightbulb, we are so grateful to the team who arranged and approved the grant." 

The Home Support Grant now sits alongside other funding including the Disabled Facilities Grant, Adaptations Grant and Hospital Discharge Grant, managed through the core Lightbulb team and the Housing Enablement Team. 

Further assistance from Lightbulb is provided through the Safe Spaces initiative, which tackles hoarding issues, and the Home Gadgets Project where smart technology and gadgets are used to maintain independence and support carers. 

Louisa Horton, Blaby District Council Executive Director Communities, said: "It’s both heart-warming and satisfying that Yvonne and David were able to call on our Lightbulb service and access the support they so desperately needed. 

"The service is all about helping residents make changes, whether small or large, which means they can carry on living safely, securely and comfortably in their own homes. We’re delighted to be able to offer the Home Support Grant as a valuable addition to the range of practical assistance we already provide as part of Lightbulb." 

For more details on the Home Support Grant visit: Home Support Grant (www.blaby.gov.uk/home-support-grant).