The UK’s first ever Damp & Mould Action and Awareness Week has launched with widespread support from landlords, housing officials and lobbying groups.
The campaign, aimed at tackling the issue of damp and mould in households across the country, has been described as “highly commendable” by the King in a letter sent to the organisers.
Damp and mould affects over seven million households in the UK, and according to the Institute of Health Equity, illnesses linked to cold, damp and dangerous homes cost the NHS more than £2.5 billion a year.
The Damp & Mould Action and Awareness Week, which runs from today until November 3 and has been launched by home life safety specialists Aico, aims to raise awareness of the issue and encourage individuals and organisations to work together to tackle it.
The week will feature a podcast and series of webinars which will hear from a number of landlords and health and housing officials involved in identifying the problems associated with damp and mould and finding solutions.
It already has the backing of renowned architectural expert Professor Timothy Sharpe from the University of Strathclyde, a member of the government’s SAGE advisory group during the COVID-19 pandemic, who specialises in indoor ventilation and transmission, as well as lobbying groups like Healthy Homes Hub and housing groups.
Jenny Danson, CEO at Healthy Homes Hub, said: “Condensation, damp and mould significantly impact air quality, leading to serious health issues, particularly for children, older people, and those who are clinically vulnerable.
“The Healthy Homes Hub is proud to support Aico in this inaugural action and awareness week, raising the profile of these challenges and driving action towards healthier homes for all.”
The issue of damp and mould was brought to public attention in 2020 following the death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak from a severe respiratory infection caused by prolonged exposure to damp and mould in his home.
Simon Newcombe, Head of Housing and Health at Mid Devon District Council, said: "Launching a dedicated action and awareness week is an excellent initiative that will help sustain the momentum we've built in tackling these critical issues.
“Following the coroner’s inquest into Awaab Ishak’s preventable death, we saw a significant increase in awareness and concern among our tenants, many of whom had been struggling in silence for far too long.
“While this initial spike in communication was encouraging, tenant contact slowly tailed off, back to normal levels, and it has been clear that continuous engagement is essential to keep these issues at the forefront.
“With the increasing cost of energy and draught proofing of our homes, damp and mould is something which can happen to anyone, but with the right knowledge, can be prevented.
“This awareness week has the potential to provide a vital platform for sharing success stories, promoting best practices, and ensuring that no tenant feels unheard or unsupported."
Chris Jones, CEO of HomeLink, Aico’s Connected Home Solution, said: “As we mark the start of the first ever Damp & Mould Action and Awareness Week, we are using the opportunity to highlight the significant health impacts associated with damp and mould and how important it is to address these problems promptly.
“We hope that by raising awareness and encouraging residents, landlords and housing officials to work together, we can help create healthier living conditions for all residents, particularly those in the social housing sector, where these issues are most prevalent.”
Damp and mould produces allergens, irritants, mould spores and other toxins that are harmful to health. The NHS spends an estimated £1.4 billion a year on treating illnesses associated with living in cold or damp housing. When wider societal costs such as ongoing healthcare are taken into consideration, the figure leaps to £15.4 billion.
For more information about the action and awareness week, or to register to join one of the webinars, visit www.aico.co.uk/damp-mould-action-and-awareness-week.
