Swindon woman living in shocking mould rescued by community

Janet Reynolds put out an appeal for help for her friend on social media

A disabled pensioner who has lived in a mould-covered home for years is now being helped by her community.

Janet Reynolds decided to get involved when she found out her friend was living in a mould and rat-infested bungalow in Swindon, Wiltshire.

The home is now being refurbished thanks to local tradespeople who offered their services for free.

"When I saw it, I thought I've got to do something, it's going to kill her," Ms Reynolds said.

"Even I couldn't breathe," she added.

Ms Reynolds said the woman had been too embarrassed to ask for help

Ms Reynolds had been helping the woman with her weekly shops, but she had not been inside her house since the pandemic, and so did not know how bad it had become.

Eventually, the woman decided to ask Ms Reynolds for help.

Speaking to BBC Radio Wiltshire, Ms Reynolds said, "I think she was scared the house would be taken away from her, it had been in her family since she was little."

"She was too embarrassed and proud to ask for help."

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The woman is blind in one eye and suffers from heart diseases, leaving her vulnerable.

Ms Reynolds asked charities to help her friend before making an appeal on social media as a last resort.

The house has been cleared out and will now be refurbished

Local tradespeople, including Emerald Damp Specialists, offered their help for free and the house has now been emptied and is being refurbished.

"All her stuff had to go. She came to me with nothing but the clothes on her back - she's staying with me now until she can go back," Ms Reynolds said.

The woman lives off her state pension and would not be able to afford the renovation on her own, Ms Reynolds said.

The project to clear and refurbish the house has been described as a "team effort"

"It's a team effort," she said. "It's not just my doing. I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I didn't help."

She added: "I took her shopping and she had a warm bath. She is safe now."