Acton-based 1 Oak Home Care praise community’s generosity to help vulnerable Long Melford woman with vital home improvements

The extraordinary local generosity to assist a vulnerable woman has been lauded by carers helping to restore her home, after it was left in an unlivable condition.

Staff at 1 Oak Home Care said they were overwhelmed by the level of support they received after receiving more than 100 donation offers in one day to help a Long Melford resident in need.

The care company, based in Acton, took on the support of the woman last Monday, following a stay in hospital – but, upon arrival at her home, they found it was in “an awful state, with many belongings ruined, or broken, or just not fit for purpose any longer.”

In addition, the property’s pre-paid energy meter had run out while the owner was in hospital, meaning there was no electricity or heating.

Rhiannon Read, care manager at 1 Oak Home Care, told SuffolkNews: “She had really slipped through the net when it came to care.

“It was one of the more extreme cases I’ve seen. The house was cold, no electric or gas, and the freezer food was all ruined following the electric being off for so long.”

Subsequently, the care team set about gutting and cleaning the house, while an appeal was launched on social media for donations of essential items, such as bedding, towels, pillows, duvets, kitchen items, bedside tables and lamps.

Within six hours, they had received offers of every item they needed, meaning the care manager was able to collect them the very same day.

Rhiannon added: “It was phenomenal. It was such a quick turnaround and, up to the end of last week, we were still receiving phone calls asking if we needed anything else.

“One person who helped told me that, if their parents were in this situation, she would like to think that people would do the same for them.

“We received an amazing response. It really goes to show that, when in need, a community can really pull together and help those in need.

“I am extremely glad that we have been able to get a great outcome for this wonderful lady, which means she can stay happy and safely in her home for longer.

“We often rally around for our clients and do special things like this – but this one really filled me with pride as so many members of the community came together to help a lady who they didn’t know, but was in need.”