From condemned to on the mend

July 23rd 2013

Having a condemned cooker meant Mr Littlefair from Stockton was relying on ready cooked meals and processed foods for his meals

This was causing him a problem as he was unable to prepare healthy nutritious meals for himself and it was also a great expense which he could not afford

He was referred to Five Lamps by Stockton Council for help on the Warm Homes Healthy People project to see if there were any grants he may be eligible for, to help him receive money towards a new cooker.

John Hird and Amy Baker from Five Lamps visited Mr Littlefair at his home and they discussed with him the grants he could apply to. The grant scheme which looked the most suitable was the Teesside Emergency Relief Fund.

The Teesside Emergency Relief Fund provides funds to help people relieve immediate hardship. The application was a success and Mr Littlefair was awarded a new cooker.

When Amy contacted Mr Littlefair to let him know the good news, he explained that his washing machine had now broken and he couldn’t afford to replace it.

Amy explained to Mr Littlefair about the option of having a Five Lamps personal loan. Five Lamps provide affordable loans to people who are financially excluded. Five Lamps also work with a company called Smarterbuys who would be able to provide Mr Littlefair with a brand new energy efficient washing machine if he was eligible.

Mr Littlefair applied for a personal loan. When the loan application was passed to John McCoy Five Lamps’
Loans Officer, he made sure the loan was affordable for Mr Littlefair and found him an A+ energy efficient washing machine on the Smarter Buys website.

The loan application was a success and Mr Littlefair is now waiting to receive his new washing machine.

Mr Littlefair said:

“Thanks to Five Lamps who were very helpful and supportive, this has enabled me to get the household goods I required”

Five Lamps are currently working with Stockton Council on the Warm Homes Healthy People project helping people in Stockton on Tees who are suffering from fuel poverty.