Many households in England have experienced damp and mould at one level or another – varying anywhere from a small patch on their bathroom grout to entire ceilings or walls covered in unhealthy black mould.
People often don’t understand the dangerous health impacts that damp and mould can have on residents in homes. These include increased risks of airway infections, worsening of allergic diseases such as rhinitis and asthma, and general symptoms like shortness of breath, coughing and wheezing. It can also cause eye irritation, eczema, rashes, or other skin problems. The mental health impacts of damp and mould must not be overlooked either, as constant anxiety and stress can wear people down, and worsen existing mental health issues.
When two-year old Awaab Ishak tragically died in 2020 from a respiratory condition caused by severe mould, the Government introduced Awaab’s Law, which requires social housing landlords to fix emergency damp and mould risks within a strict legal timeframe. Later this year, Awaab’s Law will be expanded to include other health hazards including excess cold and heat.
Understanding the causes of mould growth, the conditions it thrives in, and how to combat it cheaply are a lifesaver for some households – figuratively, and sometimes literally. This is where Groundwork’s Green Doctor service, delivered in partnership with the Cadent Foundation via the Stay Warm Stay Well programme can help.
Green Doctors provide practical in-home support to households struggling with these issues, as well as sharing simple energy saving advice and tips to stay warm and well. Green Doctors can help households tackle cold and damp homes through a series of measures to make them safe and comfortable again.
Over the past year, Green Doctors delivered a Cadent Foundation pilot known as the Innovation Fund in Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire across 111 homes which demonstrated this.
By installing small humidity and temperature sensors for two weeks, Green Doctors were able to assess the cause of damp and mould hour-to-hour. They recorded behavioural data such as hours of adequate ventilation and high-risk days when mould was likely to form - for instance if the rooms were too humid for too long. This enabled Green Doctors to accurately advise on the root of the problem and how the issue could be resolved. Common causes included moisture in the air not being evacuated sufficiently, inadequate heating of surfaces, and large quantities of moisture being released into the air.
Over nine in ten (93%) households felt the advice given and measures installed had a positive impact on their general health and wellbeing, and almost four-fifths (79%) felt that being informed about energy, damp, mould and condensation helped to improve relevant health issues.
The Green Doctor model is simple. The key is educating households on the true causes of damp and mould, with advice tailored to their specific situation, needs, and level of understanding. Households are supported to understand the trifactor of adequate heating, ventilation, and moisture control. If the balance between these isn’t right, it is likely that damp and mould will form. The Green Doctor will assess the household’s balance and advise on best practice.
External conditions play a part in the likelihood of damp and mould forming in a property. The Met is predicting a particularly wet autumn, which will create cold, wet environments. Add to this the increase in the Energy Price Cap, which affects many households’ ability to heat adequately, and all signs point to even more homes becoming impacted by damp and mould.
This is why Green Doctor support is so crucial for many vulnerable households. By providing simple and structured support to identify and reduce associated problems, the model is helping many households to reduce their mould risk, improve their physical and mental health and provide knowledge for life.
