A Warmer Future: Jackie’s Story

When Neil Pickup retired after more than 30 years in the offshore gas industry, he looked forward to a slower pace of life. These days, the Morecambe local spends his time at the gym, walking, reading, and watching old movies. But one part of his life wasn’t as comfortable as it could have been: his home.

“I was looking for a way to get loft insulation,” Neil recalls. “That’s all I thought I’d get.”

It was his daughter who first pointed him in the direction of Cosy Homes in Lancashire. She had searched online on his behalf, and before long Neil had applied.

What happened next exceeded all expectations.

“When they did a survey on my home and realised I didn’t have any central heating, they installed a heat pump, radiators, a hot water system, and then went on to install a solar panel system,” he says. “I couldn’t believe how much of a difference it made.”

For Neil, the biggest surprise was the transformation in day-to-day living.

“What surprised me most about the heat pump was how much it has affected my quality of life at home. It keeps the house really nice and warm all day, and it doesn’t get that cold at night either.”

The change has been so significant that Neil has become an enthusiastic advocate.

“I’d recommend anybody who hasn’t got central heating to consider a heat pump and its efficiencies. If you’re thinking about applying to Cosy Homes, just do it. You don’t know what you’ll get until you ask. They’ll do a complete survey of your home and tell you what’s available to you personally.”

For Neil, it wasn’t just the upgrades that impressed him, but the people too.

“What I really like about Cosy Homes is when you ring them and speak to any member of staff, they’re always so friendly, so northern, and they make you feel relaxed and at ease. It built my confidence to go ahead with them. Anytime I’ve called with a question, they’ve been pleasant and helpful.”

With a warmer home and lower energy costs, Neil now enjoys his retirement in comfort, supported by a team that he says “feel like family.”

To see how Cosy Homes in Lancashire can help you, apply for help here.