Flood victims in Doncaster have spent lockdown in homes that have not yet been repaired

Back in November of 2019 floods devastated the Bentley area of Doncaster.

Nine months on and the water is gone but many residents have not yet been able to repair the damage done to their homes.

Alongside fighting insurance companies the flood victims have had to deal with Covid-19.

Many have had to shield or isolate in homes with water damage.

In November Shane Miller, owner of Custom Windows and Doors opened up his business as a relief hub to help those whose homes were flooding.

As there was not a community building nearby he decided to let Bentley people in to use the toilets, get dry, and make a hot drink.

He said: “It was manic when it first happened.

“There were lots of people rushing around and wading through water in a panic.”

Shane says the water rose to a meter and a half at his showroom.

“People here still need support, there are people still out of their homes,” Shane said.

“With Covid-19 coming along I think a lot of people here got forgotten about.

“But there are people here that are suffering and need to get back to normality.”

The South Yorkshire Community Foundation has been there to help since day one.

Assisting residents to fill out insurance claim forms, lending a sympathetic ear to residents in distress and now helping them rebuild their homes.

Michelle Dickinson, Head of Philanthropy at South Yorkshire Community Foundation, said: “As part of our aim to support local communities we decided to set up within 24 hours a flood appeal.

“I’m delighted to say that we’ve raised over 1.3 million pounds.

“85 per cent of that funding is coming to Doncaster.”

The South Yorkshire Community Foundation has also been running a house restoration project which is in collaboration with Doncaster Keepmoat, Orchard Training, the community hub St Peters Church and Doncaster Council.

This project identified 15 properties in the Bentley area that were occupied by the homeowner but did not have insurance.

The main reason for this was extremely high rates being charged.

The team at SYCF identified those who were vulnerable in those homes.

Anyone with disabilities, parents with children under five years old, or the elderly.

“We were looking to support the really hard to reach householders,” Michelle said.

“We have helped to put in new kitchens and fireplaces and also replastered walls.”

For each property, SYCF has been able to give up to £5,000 which has been matched by the Doncaster Council who have focused on resilience measures to improve properties' ability to cope with any future flooding.

Michelle said: “The biggest impact Covid-19 had was mainly on the projects that needed a lot of building work.

“By the middle of March, everybody had to down their tools.

“It has put us back another three or four months.

“We know that there are people who are still not back in their homes now nine months later.”

One resident who has been helped by the charity is Jeffrey Breedon, aged 78.

He said: “The charity has been brilliant.

“They have pulled all the stops out.”

Another Bentley resident who has received help from the charity is Vicky Richards who lives on Yarbrough Terrace the worst affected street.

She said: “Everybody really pulled together to help each other this time.

“It’s a lovely community around this area and everyone is friendly and helpful when needed.”

Vicky was fortunate that her home was not as badly affected as her neighbours who had to live upstairs as flood water had destroyed their downstairs living space.

“To not be able to go out during Covid-19 whilst living in those circumstances is awful and my heart goes out to them,” she continued.

“Having to work from home and being confined to your property at all times must have been a struggle.”

The SYCF is continuing to raise funds for the flood victims of Bentley and other affected areas in Doncaster.

With attention now being turned towards the impact on mental health that the last nine months has had on residents.

You can donate to their appeal here.

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