A mother of 2 was left ‘terrified’ after her son was hospitalized after ‘eating green mould’ caused by damp in their flat.

A distressed mother revealed her young son ate mould that had spread in their damp flat, including inside his toybox, highlighting severe housing issues.
Emma Needham, a mother of two from Horwich, Bolton, said she endured months of delays before any action was taken to address the problem. Her two-year-old son, Lincoln, developed bronchitis after consuming the green mould, while her newborn, Theodore, was later hospitalized with breathing issues.

Growing Health Concerns

Ms. Needham, who has lived in her flat on Cheriton Gardens for over four years, said her repeated efforts to manage the damp were unsuccessful, and the situation worsened in 2023.
In December, she discovered mould covering Lincoln’s toybox, prompting fears he had ingested it. “I was horrified,” she said. “Lincoln kept falling ill, and I couldn’t get help.”
Theodore, born in March 2024, also began experiencing severe wheezing shortly after coming home and required five days on oxygen at Royal Bolton Hospital. A GP’s letter linked Theodore’s breathing issues to the conditions in their flat, noting his health improved when away from home.

Housing Provider’s Response

Social housing provider Bolton at Home eventually removed the mould in mid-2024, installing vents to tackle the damp. While the family was temporarily relocated during the work, Ms. Needham fears it’s a “band-aid solution.”

“It’s winter, and I’m keeping windows open constantly to stop the damp,” she said. “I feel like it’s a waiting game – will it come back? Will my kids stay healthy?”

The housing provider offered Ms. Needham £100 as compensation for disruption caused by the vent installation, but she called the offer “insulting,” accusing Bolton at Home of not accepting responsibility.

She is awaiting a decision from the Housing Ombudsman regarding her formal complaint.

Council Reactions

The case was raised at a Bolton Council meeting by Councillor Ryan Bamforth, who described it as “heartbreaking” and said no family should face such conditions. He criticized the management of social housing in the area, accusing some providers of allowing homes to deteriorate for profit.

A Bolton at Home spokesperson said they had acted “urgently” to address the mould, providing ventilation advice and pledging regular follow-ups. Bolton Council added that enforcement action would be taken if providers failed to act on complaints.

For Ms. Needham, however, the worry persists: “I’m just trying to make sure my kids are safe.”

Source – BBC News – https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cj0r8vljr2zo – 4 December 2024