Cost of living crisis: "I haven't used the heating for nearly a year" | Times Reports
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- Опубликовано: 13 янв 2022
- With average household costs to increase by £1,700 a year, 79-year-old pensioner Sheila Correll describes how she cannot afford her rising energy bills and has turned to exercise to keep warm.
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The fact that she is 79 and still out running deserves massive praise 👏
If My people, who are called by My Name, humble themselves, and pray and seek (crave, require as a necessity) My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear [them] from heaven, and forgive their sin and heal their land. Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to prayer offered in this place.
2 Chronicles 7:14-15
That’s not really the point is it? If you want to do something nice for her, don’t praise her for running to keep warm, find her and pay her heating bill.
This is NOT how seniors should be treated or allowed to live. UK can / should do better for her own - in my opinion God's watching this, too.
It is very admirable, but besides that's it a solution which might not work longterm for her, there's also other potential problems. E.g. if it gets too cold indoors, maybe there's water pipes that risks freezing. Many years ago, I heard that a new owner had bought a house several houses away on the same street as my old house. Apparently things got more expensive than the family could afford, so in the Autumn they shut off their water radiators to save money.
Then Winter came to Sweden. Since they hadn't known to empty the water heating system, the expanding freezing water made the pipes to the water radiators brake. They had to sell the house as it was, and let the next new owner fix it.
Anyhow, besides admiring her running, I totally get why this old lady priorities keeping her pets. My pets is what gives me reason to live, I have to take care of myself to be able to take care of them.
Having something which gives you reason to live, is to me the difference between living, and simply not being dead.
Absolutely!!!
This is heartbreaking, the government should be ashamed that people like this lady have to choose between eating or staying warm
The point is that it isn't.
But she doesn't. Have to make that choice, She is depressed . See Vicky;s post and mine. Living well on the pension is doable. I am nearly eighty and was disabled before that. I honestly have never lacked for what I truly need. And I always factor in small treats.
Unfortunately that's been the case for a lot of people
@Telbel me and my sister were on benefits living in a 2 bed flat rented to us by a slum landlord she worked part time as a barmaid I was in college we applied for the warm home discount thing (£140 for electricity) when we lived there as we were on a prepayment meter in the flat even with the extra "assistance" and eating smart price food we still couldn't afford to have our heating on for years we had oil radiators, wore hoodies and I slept with hot water bottles scum like your landlord and the government are 100% the problem because they don't think about the little people nor do they have any idea what it's like to have to live on a shoe string budget
But the point is they aren't and won't, because they simply don't care for anyone but themselves, and the sooner the electorate wake up to this and start the process of their removal the better. Once done, it should be made democratically as difficult as possible for these criminals to ever get near public office again.
She shouldn't have to be experiencing this at her age. It was heartbreaking to hear those words...having to chose between eating and heating. One thing for sure is that she has an inner strength that has kept her spirit from dying. She has surely inspired me and her positive attitude is so admirable. God bless her ✨
Stolen comment
Unfortunately, her current predicament is the result of a lifetime of poor decisions. Stop blaming others, government for your own inability to provide for yourself. Let that be an example for the rest of us.
@@joyjoy534 what even? Considering the current housing problem, increasing retirement age, and pension problem (including the fact that pension companies regularly lose money by using it for unsuccessful investments) quite a lare part of people might face similar predicament in near future.
well its because of something called taxes and the greedy government keeps upping her taxes. All those green regulations they pass gets passed onto you and people like her pay it the worst.
Excuse me, but this lady didn't prepare for retirement well. We're supposed to have enough savings or had some sort of financial situation already in place so when we get old we don't have to do through financial hardships. It was completely her responsibility to save up for her future, nobody else's.
I'm in tears for this dear lady. To be 79 and have to decide food or heat, how messed up is that? Bless her for being active and enjoying her pets. It's sad that wealthy nations fail to take care of the elderly. I'm from the states and it's not any better here either.
It's way better here no excuse for anyone to go through this or be homeless
@@hansomesolo1136 Energy prices are lower in the States, so yes, we have that going for us.
The UK at least has the NHS, which is much better than the 65 million Americans without healthcare insurance or are underinsured.
@@sanderdeboer6034 The NHS is total $hit compared to the 90 percent or so in the USA who have far better insurance. In the UK, people with money pay for private insurance -- insurance like most people have in the States.
We need a listserv for her. If no computer access, telephone someone who has access.
Everybody will help.Nobody knows where to find her. She doesn’t know help is out there.
Instead of making license plates, prisoners should be making solar panels, made free to distribution for pensioners.
She’s one story, every country’s got tens of thousands more. Nursing homes go understaffed, dangerously so, yet pensioners and students are living in their cars.
There’s a way. Find it.
Its disgusting that someone at 79 years old has to live like this and can't turn on the heating because of the cost.
sad!
She could sell her house? She is hoarding that house from a family that could use it.
@@stuartmacpherson7948 And live where? Is there an affordable Appartement for her? You talking Bull!
@@gabak1292 I don't care where she lives. Not my problem just don't ask me to pay taxes to pay for her or anyone else.
@@stuartmacpherson7948 Well, some say ignorance is a bliss! Personal I think its simply stupidity! I wonder, you dont have a problem to finance the Downingstreet Partyboys their Champagne with your tax money?How do you think unrest and Revolution starts? Certainly not from those that try to sell out Britain and hoard the money. If there are enough people like you, well Iam glad I live somewhere else!
one can always judge a society by the way it looks after its elderly
And its new borns.... how horrific
Society has never looked after theirs
No
( and the animals....)
Asian societies are streets ahead when it comes to looking after the elderly...
The way she lives is what most governments feel is just fine for all their people. They dont care that they ride in 100k vehicls and eat $100 plates of food. She is right, they live in a completely other world. She is amazing. Jogging and still sharp. ❤️
Thank you for your comment. In the past I have been a top marathon runner.
So true! … Fire Feet Hok_Tui
We’re slave ❤
It breaks my heart that she has to choose between heat or food. She deserves to be warm and fed.
The poor and seniors here in the United States are experiencing the same sad predicament.
This lady is a warrior and survivor. Thank you for sharing her story, it is inspiring.
Here in America we have health care .. food stamps..food banks..Medicaid for those who have no health insurance and it makes medicine $0 or a low cost
We also have discount prescription plan that anyone can apply for
The biggest problem here is that there are times people dont know what is available to them
Unfortunately there is a huge difficulty to get help in the USA unless you have children. Working poor get shafted as well as older or sick people. Benefits often go to those who are told the ropes or don't mind the stigma. In small towns many people know your business (if you go to the clinic or food bank) and don't mind spreading your business around.
Not really.
@@jodabney4358 Oh yeah, it's just peachy here in the states. The maximum amount 1 person can get for food stamps is $250 a month. Food banks depend on donations so amounts and variety are limited, and visits are usually limited to once a month. I will say Medicaid is superior to many private insurance plans, but American health care is nothing to brag about. As far as discount prescription plans, I personally wouldn't want to base my health and wellness on a corporation's largesse.
@@jodabney4358 Wrong, youre only eligible for all those hand outs if youre a crack head or on SSI or if you cant keep your legs shut and have same amount kids as the Duggers. So, if you are in US and part of the working poor category youre fucked like most Americans. Its a very broken system that will never change. No middle class, either Poor or Rich. Its Futile situation
Despite everything she has been through the lady has incredible positive energy about her. She teaches you alot.
how many pensioners in her age are fit enough to run everyday to warm up?
how long will she be able to do it? what if she can't ? waht about disabled people?
In one of the richest countries in the world ca 2milion of chldren live in severe poverty,
hundreds of thosands of peole use foodbanks to survive, families of working parents can't afford to pay their bills and feed their kids... it's surreal. Tories screwed it up, totally.
@@miras2222 unfortunately it's not just the Tories they are all as bad, full of golden promises , then they give us crap when in power. I thank God that I'm not young and just starting out.
@@ericking7406 It's the Tories. They've been cutting budgets since 2010. Time for personal responsibility.
@@Morning404 No, sorry it's all of them.
@@ericking7406 No sorry. Its specifically the Tories. They've been in charge the last 11 years. Not a fan of Blair at all, but the Tories have been in charge for long enough. No more excuses.
It was lovely to see her face light up when she spoke to her bird. I'm glad that despite her struggles she still finds enjoyment in her life through her pets. They make such a difference
I know, but That bird needs some heat! Poor thing.
@@The_Red_Pill__ agreed
Its so expensive to have a dog. I've had one since I was a baby. My JRT needs an expensive amount of vet work. I'm sad that I can't afford it.
@@ratherbfishing455 yes it is an expense, but it can't compare to the benefits and company a dog can give. I guess it is why so many homeless people have dogs, although it is crushing when you know you don't have the money to give them everything they may need 😢 good luck.
@@killiansirishbeer Homeless people give their dogs scraps and what water they can find. I saw a man give a dog a Coke, because he could not find water in 105° weather.
My grandmother says that she’s so blessed because my sisters and I help take care of her. She said others aren’t lucky enough to have grandchildren to take care of them let alone children.
that's their own fault alot of those women murdered their caretaker years ago lol
I'm a pensioner and do exactly the same and have done for the past couple of years. I cook once, usually on a meths trangier camping stove, and eat that food for the next four days and wear a hat, scarf and a fleece indoors. When watching TV I have a couple of blankets over me. Despite this frugal lifestyle I am very concerned on how these price rises in energy will affect me. People please be mindful of what is to come.
Is meths and a trangia efficient in terms of cost per megajoule? A hot plate is pretty efficient, as are electric kettles. Microwaves are super efficient for most things, but a kettle is actually the best when just boiling water. Anyway that’s not the point. People relying solely on the pension should have basic fuel costs covered.
You can afford internet though… 🧐
@@Iamaguienapig wtf... you're saying people have to choose between basic needs?
@@Iamaguienapig Internet is a necessity these days.
@@AmieEss Actually, Internet is not a necessity. It may be a necessity to you, but it’s not to everyone. Not even in the West. Neither of my parents have internet, nor do they even have computers. Nor do most of their acquaintances. So it’s not a necessity.
This broke my heart. She’s so right about the fact that her being fit is an advantage, compared with the decrepit seniors who are much less mobile. I was just hearing today that energy costs in the UK are through the roof in the last few years. Terrible situation.
It's really the last 9 months or so that they have more than doubled. The cost of basics like bread have also gone up by 25%. I wouldn't mind so much but it costs about 17p to put a loaf of bread on a shelf. It's sold for £1.25.
I live in the USA and its has been the same here in Pennsylvania where I live. Since December by electric bill went from $80 to $143 in less than 2 months and I live alone with my pets. Its so sad that despite our ability to remain positive and healthy these government officials turn a blind eye. I will pray for all the world and especially the elderly who are in such scary place. 😣 tfs! Christine
If My people, who are called by My Name, humble themselves, and pray and seek (crave, require as a necessity) My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear [them] from heaven, and forgive their sin and heal their land. Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to prayer offered in this place.
2 Chronicles 7:14-15
Often seniors that can't move much have suffered an injury or have wear and tear on their joints. So in effect cannot move much but would like to if they were able obviously.this lady is lucky to have mobility.
Maybe you’ll get there too, being a senior citizen. Hopefully by the time you do, you won’t have injuries or medical issues that leave you as a decrepit senior. Getting older is not for whimps.
She is an example of the situation facing many in the UK, many of whom cannot cope. This government is heartless and indifferent.
The British government is Socialist and wastes money on illegal aliens and socialized medicine.
This makes me cry. I'm so tired of this world and its greed. Her spirit is strong but you an only be so strong for so long.
After scrolling down the comments section, I find it really alarming just how many of us have had to resort to significant energy reduction by turning off electric/gas heating, water tanks, or even the entire electricity/gas supply.
What an absolute mess!
I turn on the heating every night because if I don't i feel kind of...unhappy going to sleep cold. maybe I should do this. fortunately the bill isn't mine but I don't like to be wasteful .
Nah actually j don't ever listen to nay sayers. One thing I'm learning it's NOONES right to judge another's circumstances.
When I was on jobseekers (which I am never going to resort to again I would rather be homeless ) and even afterward because of my mental health struggles I would regularly starve or be close to malnourished. I'm not saying this to garner sympathy I'm saying it because the effects of these things causes your cognitive function to cease or decline, your skin to flake, your organs to panic and your body fat to melt away and use whatever you can scrap together to pull yourself a decent meal that will sustain your body to actually you know, think and move.
which of course makes you feel Great certainly gives you the energy to get out there ! go and find a job, make friends sell your expensive house to downsize.
Before I got a cat which was amazing luck I wish I'd bought him myself the loneliness of coming home night after night killed me it was absolutely despairing and suffocating . After 9 years living alone I was miserable desperate and fed up and ready to get out. Selfish ? perhaps but if selfish is meeting your basic needs as a human being and individual we all SHOULD be selfish
I moved to a house share with my beloved cat to stop the loneliness.
I still struggle to get food as I can't drive and have to sort out my things myself which takes time and energy . Not long ago I fainted from low blood sugar and i couldnt get up it was very scary but hasn't happened since . properly but I can handle that now and have people to talk to about it. As a result I have energy to spare and more capability of going further
I'm 32
I do hope I can make an easier life for myself for the future but honestly who knows
My cat is my treasure I adore that little guy but I've had to learn to take proper care of myself and it's taken a long time and no one's fault. no one wants to be in that situation
When you are any small thing can be a life saver
Yet people act like these are just little hang ups and small annoyances ! honestly the audacity of these people. I really hope they never have to go through hard times themselves or if they do at least they would understand that it's REAL suffering .
Go Sheila for getting out there
Sorry for the tangent btw
And I have learned to never take heating included in the rent for granted again. In my country, living in a rental apartment means heating and unlimited hot water must be included within the monthly rent. You only pay for so-called household electricity.
Our A/C was down for over 10 years. My late father was finally able to get it working a year before he passed. I’m grateful for what he done for us.
It shows you how bad politicians are disconnected, i.e.. they can't execute on a plan properly.
B4 they start shoving "Green plans" down everyone's throats they should make sure EVERYONE's basic infrastructure is up
to snuff, to support the stupid ideas...
But instead, its just let the chips fall where they may!
I reckon I am going to have to put aside £800 on my gas meter before August 1st just to cover August 2022 to March 2023. Maybes doable at £200 a month for 4 months.
Am a carer who gets £430 a month and if I can put extra money aside now so I can keep warm through out this autumn and next winter than surely these old people can? OAPs get more money than I do from the DWP.
I'm 30 seconds in and I already want this lovely lady to be my nanna. In the face of such awful poverty all she thinks about is others who might be worse off than her. What a wonderful person.
I'm 68. Osteoporosis and osteoarthritis. Can hardly move, can't afford heating. I stay in bed, or multi layer. This is not the way I envisaged my senior years. It's an absolute travesty of a situation that people are having to cut budgets to the bone to try and keep themselves warm. Or, simply do without. It takes energy and mobility to run. I applaud this lady for her pragmatism.
"This Government...they're in a different world, completely!" Never a truer word.
Absolute disgrace that in one of the richest countries in the world that so many people are having to make a choice between eating and heating. This government are truly disgusting. They have so much blood on their hands - they should be in bloody prison!!!!
I work at a shelter and over the last 5 years, I have seen more and more older folks come in. The meal we provide is sometimes the only thing they eat that day. They also ask for blankets and long johns because they don't turn on their heat. It makes me feel ashamed.
I'm in California, USA and can relate to this lady. I take care of my bedridden elderly mom and I can't work a regular job cause I can't leave her alone, so I only buy things that we need to eat and I set the thermostat very low and we cover up with extra blankets at night. At least it doesn't get too cold here.
I said the same yesterday at work "What's the point of living if all I'm doing is working just to eat pay bill and have no money for anything other then that" what a miserable life.
I started reading and absorbing new types of culture. Not everything revolves around watching ten minute clips on RUclips or social media. Enjoy being outdoors. Having friends around for a drink. Not everything costs a fortune. Ultimately if your feeling like this then you need to pull yourself out of the hole you are in.
I hope you are ok and I’m not giving you a lecture.
@@theoracle7148 Walks outside and talking, yes I do that but that's not going to feed My creativity needs. I'm a musician and that cost money and is the only thing that I like doing apart from a few other side hobbies.
Exactly. No room for working or trying to earn a living. Everything is so expensive now. Good at sewing, woodwork ect. Go to work submit to company rules. Example how do these eastern europeans earn a living washing cars. Not paying store rent for a start, 6 living in a 2 bedroom house. The cost of living is far too high , to earn a living doing anything. Plus rules and laws. Open your house for tea and biscuits ? No one can earn a £€$ because?????
Do not buy hoas
@@theoracle7148 spread disease much..?
This lady has such a strong spirit. It is absolutely shameful how the elderly on a limited fixed income are cast aside. No one, especially the elderly , should have to choose between food, medication and heat. There needs to be a system in place to ensure that ALL of our elderly have decent housing, food and medical care. Many of us will find ourselves in this same situation before too long if we don’t do something about it now. Anyone who believes the government will provide for them in their later years is a fool.
Hi 👋 Connie, how are you doing?
The system used to b family. Not th case anymore 😔 We are shunned, tossed away when we can no longer work. We aren't robots or TVs. We're ppl....worthy of love & care! Covid virus was created to kill off th elderly & diseased 😠
They need social security for these elders like do in america elderly deserve better in Europe.
Hi, if the utility companies are privatized then buy their stocks (if they have gone public). They pay out divdends that can somewhat hedge the raising utility bill cost. Not financial advice.
What about the churches? In our country churches in wealthy areas subsidies churches in poor areas. Young productive church goers make sure poor people get proper education and enough foods to eat. We help each other without government's intervention. People need to help people in their own areas. Catholic churches in Asia are well organized for charities.
She sure is right,there's noone fighting for the elderly,we are the most vulnerable. There's no dignity in getting old. Heating or eating, from November to March every year.
Sheila -- I adore you! I can't afford the heat anymore either, and I'm only 60 now, living in Wisconsin out in the country -- so luckily I can have a little box stove I got at a garage sale. I have to close off most the house for the winter, and I have a tiny space heater in the bathroom. I can't cut or split the wood myself anymore, and even bringing it inside everyday is getting hard -- but you've given me such hope! I'm going to try to move around more -- I already wear the layers. I have 3 dogs that are on their last legs, ages 19, 13 & 11, and some cats -- we do cuddle at night to keep warm, that's for sure.
This is dreadful. We have to have our heating on in the winter as my husband is not well. He has had pneumonia over Christmas despite being vaccinated against it and is awaiting a major operation. I dread to think how much we will be paying once the price rises take effect. Having worked all of our lives, paid our taxes and it’s horrendous to think that a lot of us could be on the bread line. When I was young I never heard about food banks or homeless people. Pensioners should not have to live like this.
I forget the name of it but if you are a pensioner and struggle to do things around the house you can fill in a form...even if not on pension credit. You can get £60 per week and and additional £240 per month. No proof of health issues needed. Not affected by income either.
Trouble is Wearsidelass, its now not just pensioners.
You could make a massive saving avoiding useless injections, I moved from the UK 5 years ago to a place where energy is cheap and there's basically no tax on your existence and I'm a pensioner as from now too, getting out was the best move I ever made
@@manichairdo9265 it is DLA which stands for Daily Living Allowance.
@@joeking1019 Where did you move to Joe?
This country’s in a terrible state, we need a government who cares.
WE NEED A COUP TO SORT IT ALL OUT
We need to stop relying on the government and more on ourselves.
@@RipleysSanatorium exactly. If Government could do it, we’d not be in this situation. Plan and improvise. Don’t wait for cold temperatures, have a plan in place.
Dust off old methods. Our ancestors knew things we are not using.
TOP BRASS TAKE OVER . CONSTITUTIONALLY POSSIBLE .
Prayers to her, sadly I see this also in the US. The price of inflation is really hurting a lot of people. It isn’t fair that people in government, who are so far removed from reality, have these positions and can stay in them longer than 4 years
Man do I just love the fact that at her age she can jog! Bless her soul, such a sweetheart. have not used heating in three years because to use heat for just three days brings my bill up to $400.00 in just one month! I am 67 and disabled so I cannot run to keep warm so I just bundle up.
When pensionists cannot afford heating, energy, food, rent, and a cup of tea this is awful and a shame for our countries. In Germany there are so many people collecting bottles. This elderly woman is remarkable in getting by, but these situation pensionists are in must be stopped. People must be able to live from it.
Don't worry about all that. Older people vote for over 10 years to be treated like that. I have no idea why is that but they vote so they must be happy.
Get a job?
I'm on minimum wage and 3rd of My income goes on rent. Then electric bill costs £120 which will be dubble to £240 just for the service charge even if I didn't use any electricity. Its disgusting.
If you can afford to keep a dog, my you are not poor.
@Yvonne- That dog and the animals are the ONLY comfort she has. To say 'if she can afford a dog ..." is simply cruel. She would probably eat less just to keeo her dog, who incidentally will also warm her at night. People have alwasy lived with animals, in former times for heating. It's an absolute shame that they have to live like that while the PM's wife needs gold wallpaper and thought the No10 Downing Street apartment was a TIP. How do you square that?! @Immunsystem, I think Germany is FAR better off than England. I don't know of lots of people who have to wait for MONTHS to get a dentist appointment and, as a last resort, pull out their own teeth or file down their broken teeth. Germany is so, so much better off. I live in the US but I am German and fly to Germany to have my medical needs taken care of. As a private patient and with the tickets it is still cheaper than the US and I get MUCH better treatment in Germany. We are absolutely lucky to have the system in place and still people complain about it. Living in other countries opens the eyes.
With our energy company going bust in Nov, and the Dec and Jan bill still not arriving, it really is eat or heat this month. Gone from paying £40 a month to £181, that's with using the heating maybe 4 short times. It's layers, hot water bottles and relief at work. I'm scared for the elderly.
love this quote from the lady as she describes her grocery shopping style " I go straight to the things that I can buy...and ignore the things that I can't" 🌻👍
This made me ashamed of myself. And I cried thinking about this current crisis and state of affairs. I admire this woman.
It’s absolutely disgusting that our elderly should have to exist like this.A lot of this generation were home raising their families whilst the husband went out to work.They don’t have the amount of years paid into their NI contributions to bring in enough pension to live on.It’s all so very sad.
Except that they were most likely doing the most important and unrecognised… job of bring up the next generation of workers….
@Tiagito P Maybe , but when the husband passes,not sure but I think that it stops.
And when u do have the years in the government moves the retirement goal posts.......
@@bloodmoon1956 my grandma gets my grandads pension since he died
In my country women of her genneration were not even legally allowed to work.
Truely sad for women of her time.
Something's not quite right in England. Every year it feels like it's getting worse.
NHS waiting times get longer, school class sizes get bigger, court delays increase, food, energy and housing costs are outstripping wages, teen violence is increasing, university debt is increasing, homelessness has increased every year for 5 years and to top it all off the government, dominated by the wealthy who aren't impacted by these issues, has been caught lying time and time again, month after month.
Totally corrupt ba**ards.
I agree the government here wants to keep all poor and miserable the uk government is almost as bad as the usa.
Yep and it's all deliberate. People need to reclaim their power, collectively, against the elites.
@@charlottetaylor4471 I’m ready to start now it’s called failed capitalism Ans terrorism from China! Sue China now take the power back!!!!
Look at America and we will follow a couple of years down the line. A great deal of their citizens have 4&5 jobs just to keep a roof over their heads. Many are living in shelters or on the streets. Food banks are the norm. We are travelling the same road only a couple of years behind. God help us all.
I can personally vouch for this, you'd be shocked how many aren't using their heat like they need too 🙏🏼
I did the same thing in Michigan. The idiot power company thought their gas meter was broke so they spent money replacing it rather than just ask me if I heat up my apartment
She’s amazing. I’m in my 40s and she could outrun me. Terribly sad that choosing between two necessities like food or heat has become so common it’s now almost normalized.
if she can outrun you then you have serious health issues at 40
I'm 22 and I think she could outrun me too 😂 has nothing to do with "health problems", she does this every day and I never run. I'm out of breath after 2 streets haha. Working on it though!
Don't take any notice of of her she's telling lies
It’s enraging. I wish I could donate to her ☹️
I could definitely outrun her.
But don't worry folks, the MPs will give themselves another pay rise+ expenses, they'll be nice and warm.
Its horrible to think we live in 2022 and yet the way this woman is living is like we are in 1850!!!! Its absolutely crazy to think this is happening in modern day society.
Absolutely heartbreaking 💔! No elder should have to live this way😭! Praying for her🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿!
Good she has such a positive attitude, but many pensioners have health issues and cannot do this, so they freeze to death.
Shame on you Great Britain 😡
When she said “you have to choose between eating and heating!” That really breaks my heart. I hope her kids or family help her out. No senior should have to live like this. But I applaud her positive outlook!
@1996freddie Spending it on the animals 🤔🙄
@1996freddie Electricity to heat her soup?
@@1Grande55 Yeah, she could have it put down and spend his 7 quid weekly food bill on an evening's heat.
Edit: for all those seemingly incapable of understanding irony and who've lashed out in response without thinking - my sarcasm was pointedly directed at a poster who suggested the woman should give up her dog to save money. My comments highlighted that feeding her dog is extremely low cost in comparison to the cost of heating, and in terms of companionship to her, absolutely priceless. To be even clearer: I'm completely on her side! 🙄
@1996freddie If this lady is claiming pension credit she will be entitled to £140 every year towards electricity costs.
@@ruthbashford3176 that’s not a lot is it?
Bless her heart i know the feeling. Went 2 winters without heat couldnt afford the oil. Prices went from $230 for 250 gallon fill to 800 dollars. I only had a table side small heater for bedroom. I was greatful to have that! keeping her and all in prayer. God bless her
When I read the description box I thgt it described Sheila as a "prisoner" but she is actually called a "pensioner". I cannot believe the UK would treat their senior citizens like this. I thgt they had amazing healthcare and public services. Places that get really cold in the U.S. have provisions for the elderly where their utilities can get paid so they can stay warm. There are also services and organizations that will give you free pet food, food bowls, beds, toys, leashes, and other necessities for your pet friends. Sheila should go on gov assistance. Worrying about staying warm and how are you going to eat is not something a woman her age should have to fret about.
This is truly a crying shame no one, in any country anywhere on earth, should have to ever worry about food, shelter, clothing and heat. I pray for this beautiful soul and all those who are in need.
Good old England....going backwards and yet welcoming boatloads in... Cheers Boris Patel and the rest. As long as they are alright and their bank is filling up...
She can get rid of the dog and have a homeless person to live with her, then the homeless person can
Claim benefit until he
or she get a job.
Problem solved.
@@1Grande55 Did you ever hear the song anyone
Who had a heart.No i did t think so.
@@1Grande55 show some bloody empathy!
@@1Grande55 ridiculous statement.
It’s completely outrageous that this lady is slowly freezing because of energy costs. When is this bloody Government going to start caring about elderly poverty? They have no idea how our elderly survive and it’s about time they were told. Really told. Get that party boy to live with them a few hours. I am just so incredibly unhappy to see how this poor lady lives. She had to make excuses for her pets. Her life would mean nothing without them. I hate this world.
I think your faith is misplaced; Tories know that this goes on, they just don't care. And working class people keep voting for them! 🤦🏻♀️😤
@Stacy J Haha, you think this is a taxation issue?? And you have the nerve to call someone else stupid?..... Wow. 🤷🏻♀️😂
I love that she runs every day and has such a positive attitude in spite of everything 💛 she's got a good heart ❤
What a treasure !! She articulated it all so well. She’s got the problem down pat.
Answer is --Crowd Source.
We are living under old time methods…which will never be seen again.
Share housing is Number One. Homes should be modified to house multiple singles, design so nobody is under foot.
It simply is not that hard to modify existing, a wall here and there. Modify using computer design, and the plans can be used for other projects. People want to stay in their homes.
Share food costs and have company as well. With pooled resources, you can afford home improvements for window covers, use standing floor screens…keep warmth in the room. Block air filtration is key. I use the window frame to hang my coat, it blocks the air.
Let neighbors know, everyone can leave a little extra stove wood on your porch. Every little bit helps, but others have to know of your need. Leave a handled basket near your door. Sign says…if you have a little extra, we sure can put it to good use.
Everybody can deposit an armload, every one has a little extra of one thing or another. Maybe we can snag the name of that shop, try contacting them to contact her when she comes in. Shopkeeper could use a basket for contributions to be retrieved by pensioners who need tea, dog food, sweet treats, canned fruit.
"Have a penny, Leave a penny. Need a penny, Take a penny".
She’s trying to do it alone, and she doesn’t have to.
Crowd source computer contact for this dear one. Relay information through friends, phone them to ask that they post to the computer.
Houses should be built to accommodate multiple singles, with a center room to have meals and recreation. We're too far behind…innovate.
After Covid many people want to go back to how it was before. I don't. I want to end this "society" and build a completely new where everyone is included and valued.
Everyone apart from the unvaxed
This is what's happening but Only You are waking up to the New World Order
Wise words
@@danielpocock5733 haha,yep,absolutely.
Me too the system is built to keep rich richer and poor poor it’s called failed capitalism
God love this amazing lady ❤️. Global economies & so called "leaders" have totally screwed up.
What an amazing and courageous person. She is well aware of the hardships and challenges being faced, confronts hers positively (an inspiration to all) but acknowledges and has space for empathy for others.
Your the very best of us ma'am, the best society has to offer, not the Kardashians not the so called "royals", Your are the general article, of which all should strive to become. Your vigor, tenacity, verality, zeal, steadfastness is awe inspiring.
Same here. I haven’t had central heating or hot water in over 2 years. My wood burner is a god send and I sometimes use it for heating my water for drinks. I’ve made my owns solar set up so that is enough mostly for lighting and charging my phone and stuff. This lady is amazing looking after herself. We all need to be more independent from these big energy companies and our central heating is very inefficient.
And how much did you spend on solar panels lol? Most people can't afford those
@@sithius99 the solar panels would pay for them selfs in a year
In EU one solar panel cost around 125 euros. On sunny day it may give 90watts of electricity an hour. Even more you need inventor , energy storage unit cost will rise up to 1000 euros. Tho energy benefits are minimum coz in winter there are not that much sunny days. So even after spending all that money you will still be without electricity anyway. Unless you live somewhere where in the desert. Not to mention it's impossible to make if you live in an apartment.
Many haven't got wood burners though
@@Rom2Serge A small solar panal will charge a phone and phone battery bank and run some led lights that use hardly any power. Then you have entertainment and light without any mains electricity it's better than nothing. Solar can be a very modest system.
These folks deserve so much better. They often worked hard all their lives - often in low wage jobs, just to retire in poverty. Every pensioner should be given a heating credit for the winter if prices have risen to a point where people have to eat or freeze
And who is going to pay for that heating credit? Young people have it rough too, and we don't own our own homes like old people do.
@@stuartmacpherson7948 I'm not trying to pit old people against young people. Young people typically have more options than pensioners. Young people are also not going to experience the same health impact of remaining in a cold drafty home as someone who is older. We have enough resources for everyone if people were better stewards of global resources. Had we done more to support alt energies over the past fifty years and be willing to let go of some of the antiquated housing stock, we'd be light years ahead
This is so sad. She is an amazing lady. 79 and running everyday is fantastic. She should be able to hear her home. It’s disgraceful.
My sister and several friends and I have decided that we will moving in together if we are alone at this age. That way we can pool our resources. My youngest daughter also has said that I can live with her. I think that’s the best situation for older people is to group together.
She got that right,the Government are different people from us,…totally.Bless her x
Hypothermia kicks in really quickly when you are just sitting in a cold house due to immobility... Awful times we are heading into.
I understand what she is saying and how she feels
My husband and I live in the U.S.
and we live on a fixed income of $3,849 a month , I don't know how we will make it if stuff keeps going up
And our economy is in very bad shape
We can give food stamps to woman who keep having more and more children but we can’t take care of elderly who are not able to work …
This is me, gas central heating is off. Im in the kitchen with the electric oven on and the door shut. What a great start to 2022 🙄
😂 Roy me a river
🤗☹️😭
Nothing wrong with that! Hardship is having no roof let alone an oven.. I have not used central heating in decades. Dress warm. Move about...
Contact your local authority, there is a household support fund available at the moment.
No one needs Central Heating.
If the homeless can survive with no roof over their heads Then so can you With a Roof
Remember when I was much younger and watching documentaries about ordinary people struggling to get by in Eastern Bloc countries. (When the Communist system was in economic decline). Thought to myself "thank God I don't live there". Now I see exactly the same thing happening here in the UK.
I was listening to BBC 4 a couple of weeks ago when a pensioner called in to say that she cannot afford heat; she only turns it on/up when she has friends over, but even now she can't afford to have friends over to heat the house. When asked how she stays warm during the day, she reported that she just stays in bed all day and reads or listens to the radio. Very sad.
Im crying over this lady running to keep warm Shame on Britain
She’s a very fit healthy 79yr old, she’s lucky in that sense, some people her age can barley walk down the stairs.
You are a pensioner and a fighter at 79 years of age! When you should be enjoying some rest and be free from the cares of daily life there you are struggling for something such as heating and food.You are indeed brave and in good enough spirits .You are a tremendous inspiration.Sending my love to you and to all people who struggle in the Uk and everywhere else for that matter
Hi 👋 Stefania, how are you doing?
Very sad to think how many people are having to live like this...or worse.
Totally agree 100 % with everything she said 🏆
She’s right abt it ALL 😖😞
I'm in the US, but I can relate to this lady across the pond. I've taken to disposable hand warmers as much as possible and I live a lot by candlelight. I sleep with triple the blankets and fully sweatered up. I might invest in a hot water bottle next year.
Get a hot water bottle! There only a couple of pounds and they are so helpful, I put mine in bed half hour before I get in and it keeps me warm for hours☺️ love from the uk☺️
Get one now! They make all the difference and keep you far warmer.
@@BelCantoLari That's very creative (I never would have thought of that!) -- I like it.
Try a duvet.
A hot water bottle is amazing. Buy thermal gloves, socks, clothing. Drink warm drinks, soups etc.
And cancel you internet
There will be millions in April who can’t pay their energy bill and will struggle to find enough money to buy basic food as inflation is ongoing.There is an economic crisis of the poor rushing towards us.
There is a program called energy assistance. She should try to see if she qualifies and if she doesn't there is a secondary program that steps in.. I know this because It's one of the programs I used to run. I've since left social work industry.
One positive thing... she is 79 and can still run ... this is so wonderful. She may not realize that. I am younger than her , but I have so much pain in my knees and back.... life is really full of pain for me . I would be happy to cover myself with 5 layers of clothings but no pain ....ohhhh that would be wonderful....
My heart goes out to her and I'm afraid because I can see my future. Its pretty much how the last decade has been for me.
An absolute disgrace that this is how society treats the elderly.
Don't believe a word with what she's saying..
@@christy140 Christopher What do you believe?
*Andrew Cuomo has left the chat*
I am in the U.S. and would like to know how we can send this lovely lady money so she can turn on the heat and buy food?
But there is a already a program available to her Its called energy assistance. I'm truly shocked many people aren't aware of this program. There is also a secondary program that kicks in if she doesn't meet the qualifying thresholds.
I'm in my 20s and I feel connected to this lady living a simpler life. A lot of young people around me find it exciting to spend their paychecks on useless material things or to feed addictions, not realizing that money could be spent sparingly and saved to help lessen the burden when we get older. It also doesn't help that the system isn't designed to care for the elderly either.
Inflation insures that saving money won't help you.
In Canada the elderly receive Old Age Security and Canadian Pension, given that they are eligible to receive these funds. They are meant to substitize the cost of living through out the remainder of your life. In addition to your RRIF payment and life savings it should be enough to get you through life. However, what ppl don't foresee are things like sudden death of a partner who's he/she is the only source of income or things that can impact your financial situation like divorce. Even living a long life will (example pass 100) with diminishing health will be very costly. I am telling you all this because you are young. Buy a home as soon as possible or as soon as your bank allows it. Save save save.
@@paulsawczyc5019 But if she’s debt free, owning her own property when she becomes elderly than she will be way ahead of the curve
@@KnowledgeSeeker78491 Yes, I do all that, but unless you have a real lot (millions?) - it will at some point run out.
@@paulsawczyc5019 Hmmm, I guess that's where social security comes into play.
My plan is to pull from my social security, pension and my VA disability
If she can get a career with a pension (mine is the post office) then she'll be ok.
Now another thing she could do is instead of a savings account she could put the bulk of her money into some consistent stocks like Coca cola
So our pensioners in the UK can't afford to heat their homes and yet our government sends millions of pounds to India to help with their space program, something just doesn't seem right here.
And let Liz Truss fly to Australian on a private plane
We’ll no, we saw how they treated the elderly when they “ wrapped “ their arms around the care homes. Very low state pensions, but hand money out to people who have entered the country illegally. When it comes to the next election I hope people remember.
Yes I forgot about the space program in my rant! Spot on
We must remember the seniors who were part of the greatest generation. We should take care of our citizens, FIRST.
True. But we take in people put them in a hotel and pay them. I weep.
YES BREXIT HELPS UK
@@lovechineseforever9434 and fund wars in ukraine with millions in weapons
This government always looks after everyone but their own . Disgraceful
They are mostly gone now - 'greatest' is not a label I would apply to boomers or subsequent generations
Yep, 40 and I was living in my coat in a poorly-insulated apartment. Older now and have no savings at all. Don't know how my daughter and I are going to survive.
I hear you, lovely lady. Groceries have really gone up, too. I don't know how I'll keep up. I keep the heat down and dress in layers, too. Being cold, my body becomes wracked with pain, so I dress warm. I'm in a northern state in the U.S. and the price of living is getting to be unmanageable.
We have had NO HEATING/ for over 2yrs.. Our credit history stops us getting new boiler. We work. So can't get Benifits!! So i understand.. Not fair...god bless all those struggling.. 🙏
Same here, my central heating has broken and it's way to expensive to fix. The cost of living in this country is crazy.
if you can invest in an electric blanket for the bed and go to bed early get up late, there are lots of things you can do in a nice cosy bed and it costs pennies touse the electric blanket .
Its a global problem.. shame on the world.
@@myrtleesther8855 yeah but should we have to do that...no we shouldn't be confined to our bed when there is wealth in the country just not fairly distributed.........
In london I t cost easily 30 pounds a day on food eating very little so that can add up to more than 700 a month on food in london eating mostly vegan no meat.
£30 a day? You can get by on £2 a day for food (if necessary)
Can we please have a follow up video on this incredible lady?! What an inspiration
So touching! ❤ I wish this lady and her furry friend all the best and hope she keeps her stamina and good mood.
Thank you so much for your kind thoughts I will fight on for us to get a better deal
The problem is the trash insulation in the uk. I moved to the UK from Denmark when I was 11 and your houses are so badly insulated sometimes the inside is the same temp as the outside.
You have hit the problem exactly. I too am 79 and rent a little terraced house. Luckily, the houses either side of me mean I only have 2 outside walls in the main part of the house and the walls are 40cm,(yes, I have just measured them) thick. Once that part of the house, 2 rooms down 2 upstairs, is warm it rarely needs more heating .
The badly insulated part is the bathroom which is a 1974 flat roofed extension. It is quite large with a separate shower cubicle and 1 radiator. I keep a thermometer in there and the temperature only rises above 10 degrees in the summer. This means I have to run the heating boiler just to make a daily shower bearable . The cold comes through the floor, the flat roof and the window. I have put plastic over the window and a lined curtain . It is double glazed but very poor quality.
My son who lives in Sweden couldn't believe the chill when he went from the kitchen through the back door lobby into the bathroom. His comment was that they would not put up with it in Sweden. I certainly notice the difference when I visit him.
Problem is along comes summer and then you are well glad to have less insulation. Its not just cold here, it gets hot too. And no, opening the window is not usually an option for someone like me, there is poison in the air.
Pollen :D
Anyway, too much insulation prevents air circulation resulting in damp and mold. It is better to insulate yourself.
@@dlarge6502 insulation keeps the temperature thats already within. If its cold it stays cold if its hot it stays hot. In the summer it's NOT good to have bad insulation you'll be too hot
@@bettygraham818 precisely that. There's tight regulations in Scandinavia for those things. I hope you figure out a solution, as nobody should have to live like that...
@@Unholyspirit Thank you.
I have a new landlady now and the electrician who did the safety check for her is going to recommend additional heat in the bathroom . I can only hope !
My 64 year old mum just passed away and I'm stressed out of my mind. Dealing with the loss and how to cope afterwards with all the bills and payments as well as a debt she still hadn't paid off. I just want to end it but I can't. There's no joy, just stress and crushing anxiety...
You are not responsible for your mothers debt.
My love - please know that it will be all right. It might look bad - but it will dissolve. Have faith in life and create something good just for you.
Wait, you carry your family's debts even when they have passed aways? That's a shameless act! ... Its illegal in my country, the Philippines, unless of course you were a cosignee, but still that practice is vile. No child should carry his family's debt.
I’d try and contact a money advice centre in your area, they can help with advice as to how to get these bills cancelled as she has passed away ❤️🙏
Why are you responsible for your mother's debt?
Give a homeless person a room and share the bills.
Thank God for food banks and the salvation army.
Lovely lady and an inspiration.
My partner and I have only had the heating on one day this winter for this reason. Because we had a poorly friend over and we were ashamed to subject him to the same treatment. It's not just older people, it's younger people too. It's so expensive that it cripples any saving you can do for a life and a family. The buildings are poorly built too, not well insulated so you'll find yourself with heating on all day easily. It's no way to live and what a standard to be set by the United Kingdom. You'd think that we have higher standards here. And look at how we're treating our elderly too. It's pathetic.
I don't know why all the older inefficient buildings can't be torn down and replaced with small efficient ones. They often have no architectural merit and no amount of retrofitting insulation will help. I understand it creates waste but imagine if everyone lived in a warm comfortable home that cost very little to keep that way?
In one of the richest countries in the world this is unacceptable, I'm really disgusted by the way we are being pushed into this nightmare
Sorry Laura, ONCE one of the richest. Now, this pathetic laughing stock to the rest of the world
This is the reality for a lot of people. Old and young. So many of us are working fulltime and still can't afford our energy bills.
Reminds me of our elders who have to decide between food and medication.any now see that heat has become a rising main factor.
She just needs a room mate, someone either her age or younger and she could have someone to talk to and someone to run with. To cook with and share bills with. Someone like a best friend or a relative.
The public system doesn't work. The financial system doesn't work. The health system doesn't work. And things like cost of living is only going to get worse... And we keep voting in these people from the establishment and allowing them to make decisions about our lives. The 90% never learn. We get screwed over and over by the 10%, allowing them to create these systems and have these policies that benefit them at the expense of us. Creating recessions, depressions etc that ruin our lives and benefit theirs. They even made money in the crash of 2010 in private equity. They must laugh at us.
This! I will never understand the mindset of working class people who vote Tory! 🤦🏻♀️😤
Since covid began Millionaire s and Billionaires wealth has doubled. At the other end ordinary people especially pensioners and people with young families have seen the cost of living rise to the point where many of them are struggling to live day to day.
And yet despite the fact that what you said is true, people still don't see the truth about the whole thing the 1%feed off the 99% getting obscenely wealthy, whilst we get less, the whole system is corrupt 🤷🏻♂️
I agree it’s horrible
This is failed capitalism read Karl Marx capitalism doesn’t work it’s designed to keep people poor.
We all should be suing CHINA who made this world a disaster shame on my country usa for making such a terrorist country rich and I cringe and want to vomit when I see then in london I push them on the street. China needs to be sued by all countries and sanctioned!
@@datingandlifeadvicechannel7534 what the hell are you babbling about? 🤦🏻♀️🤷🏻♀️
Only turned on the heating few times since winter. I keep a hot water bottle underneath my duvet and it’s warm for hrs so I don’t have to pay as much. However, there is a minimum charge, even if you don’t use as much, you still need to pay for it. Miss working in office😅 free heating and drinks.
My grandma is the same she’s 82 with heart failure and hasn’t had her gas on in a year it’s warmer outside than it is her house it’s so cold it’s unreal .. this is also the problem why peoples homes go damp or have mould due to people not being able to put the heating on thus giving people chest infections
Love her. I hope things get better. We keep on keepin on till then