Member Article

Home sweet home for Salford flood victim

A Salix Homes great grandmother who fell victim to the worst flooding in Salford for 70 years is now all smiles with her newly-refurbished home.

Barbara Miles lives in one of nearly 300 of the housing association’s properties affected by the Boxing Day floods – all of which are now going through a major programme of improvements and repairs.

The 79-year-old, of Lower Broughton, said the work that has been carried out – which includes a newly-fitted kitchen – has been done to ‘perfection’.

Salix Homes spent the first few months after the floods supporting tenants to rebuild their lives, drying properties out, and preparing homes for comprehensive flood refurbishment work.

Dehumidifiers were placed in properties to remove moisture and a financial support package was put in place to get residents’ homes and lives fully back to normal.

Once all dried out, the housing provider has been able to start its comprehensive programme of work.

Barbara is now back on her feet after her life was turned upside down during the festive period when the floods damaged her furniture, carpets, kitchen units and possessions.

The Heath Avenue resident said: “It was so upsetting. Everything was ruined.

“The water was about a foot deep and created a mud bath. Everything had gone in an instant.”

Three Greater Manchester contractors - Emanuel Whittaker, Seddon and A.Connolly Ltd – are carrying out the work, which includes new kitchens, skirting boards, vinyl floors, radiators and decorating where required.

Barbara added: “Salix Homes kept checking to see if I was alright. They started to strip the wallpaper, tiles and floors and then carried out repairs.

“I couldn’t be more pleased with the work Salix Homes and Emanuel Whittaker have done and I’m delighted with my new kitchen.

“Everything has been done to perfection. All the staff that came to help, I could not fault them at all. They made a bad situation easier to live with.

“I want to thank everyone who has helped me and the community.”

Mark Foster, head of investment at Salix Homes, said: “All our residents affected by the floods have shown great resilience to get their lives back on track.

“We understand that this has been a long and tough journey for all of them and we’re working as quickly as we can to ensure the flood damaged homes are brought back to a good condition, like Barbara’s, and get everyone back on their feet.”

Three empty flood damaged properties, which have been fully repaired, have recently opened to tenants as ‘show homes’ so people can see what the renovated homes will look like and what choices are on offer.

The location of the ‘show homes’ are detailed below and tenants can make appointments by contacting their relevant dedicated tenant liaison officer.

38 Riverside Salford M7 1PP

Contact - Caroline Yeo on 07908 548 919

11 Carey Close Salford M7 1TE

Contact – Rachel Sollinger on 07803 022 798

62 Heath Avenue

Salford

M7 1WJ

Contact Adam Berry on 07901 004 811

Customers can call Salix Homes on 0800 218 2000, and updates are also available on the dedicated section of this website: www.salixhomes.org/floods

You can also view our video where Barbara talks about her experience and her new-look home. Visit: www.youtube.com/salixhomes1

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Hayley Collins .