Vulnerable man was living with in filthy damp home with rats

OVER the last 12 months we have stepped up the amount of homelessness prevention work that we do with people who are at high risk of becoming homeless.

This work includes home visits.

We have visited lots of properties in Stockport and sometimes I am appalled to see the conditions that some people are living in.

It is not uncommon for people to be living without heating, electricity or running water.

Around a week ago we visited a gentleman in Edgeley who came to The Wellspring and asked for some help, he told us that he was having some problems at home and would appreciate some support.

Upon walking in to the property, we were confronted with the smell of damp and rot.

Every room in the house was damp and full of piles and piles of rubbish, rotting food and thousands of flies.

The gentleman, who had been living in this house for several years, is very vulnerable and is often taken advantage of by other people.

The gentleman does not drink or use drugs.

The majority of the rubbish in the property had been left by other people.

One of the bedrooms upstairs was so full of rubbish that we could not open the door, upon trying a very large rat came up though the rubbish on the floor and ran over my feet.

We have referred this case to housing standards and the private landlord is now in the process of clearing and making the property good again.

This was very much needed but I would question why a private landlord had let the property get in to this condition in the first place.

It is not uncommon for people to be living in conditions like this in Stockport.

We have been able to find alternative accommodation for this gentleman and have put regular support in place to ensure that he is able to live in a clean and safe environment.

The Wellspring is a community funded charity and it’s your support that ensures anyone in Stockport who is homeless or at risk of homelessness has a service open for them 365 days a year.

We have limited places in the Manchester 10k and Half Marathon.

Make a massive difference to the lives of disadvantaged people in our community and run and fundraise for The Wellspring.

For more information on how to sign up please visit www.thewellspring.co.uk.