Richard Quinn from Billingham was referred to the Five Lamps by Stockton Borough Council through the Warm Homes Healthy People
Richard was experiencing financial difficulties and also had issues with his health. His benefits had been stopped which left him in the position of having no money to buy food or put money onto his gas or electric so he was unable to heat his home, he had no warm clothing and even his electric kettle was broken so he struggled to get a hot drink. He had also fallen down the stairs and injured his back so had to move his bed into the living room as the stairs were now a struggle to climb
Amy Baker and John Hird from Five Lamps visited Richard to assess his current situation and look at ways that Five Lamps could help him with his difficult situation. After the meeting John completed an application form to the Teesside Emergency Relief Fund and applied for a £100.00 grant on Richard’s behalf which was successfully approved, this would now help him to put money onto his gas and electric, buy some food and purchase some warm clothing.
Richard also asked if any help was available with obtaining furniture as he did not have a sofa or chairs for his living room. Amy contacted the local St Vincent de Paul Society, an organisation that supplies free furniture to disadvantaged people in Teesside. Amy explained Richard’s crisis and managed to obtain him the furniture he was looking for.
In the space of two days Richard’s personal situation had greatly improved and his life had become a little bit easier, he could heat his home and was looking forward to the delivery of his furniture.
Richard said
‘I cannot thank Amy and John enough for the help they have given me in what has been a very difficult time for me’
Five Lamps is currently working with Stockton Council on the Warm Homes Healthy People project helping people in Stockton- on- Tees who are suffering from fuel poverty.