Sally had been watching the lights in her beautiful dolls house gradually fail, one by one, until whole rooms sat in darkness. This wasn’t just any dolls house either – the three-storey Georgian-style property perched on an antique chest of drawers was a proper labour of love, complete with miniature chandeliers, wall sconces, and period details throughout. When she reached out to us explaining the situation, we could hear the genuine disappointment in her message. These little lights weren’t just about illumination, they brought the entire miniature world to life.

She’d already taken the sensible step of purchasing a replacement transformer, suspecting that might be where the problem lay. We suggested Sally’s situation would be perfect for our Positive Connections programme, meaning she wouldn’t have to worry about the cost of getting everything sorted. This initiative exists precisely for situations like this – It’s our way of giving something back to the local area, making sure everyone can enjoy safe, working electrics.

We assigned Charlie, our lead electrician, to head over to Goonhavern and have a proper look. Now, you might think working on a dolls house would be a quick job, maybe just swap out the transformer and call it done. But Charlie approached it with the same thoroughness he’d bring to any full-sized property. That’s the thing about electrical work – whether you’re dealing with a three-bedroom house or a three-storey miniature, the principles remain the same. Circuits need testing, connections need checking, and everything needs to be safe and functional.

When Charlie arrived, he spent time carefully examining the setup. The dolls house had quite an elaborate lighting system, with circuits running throughout all nine rooms – from the elegant dining room with its crystal chandelier to the cosy bedrooms tucked up in the attic space. Some lights were still working beautifully, casting that warm glow through the arched windows, whilst others had gone completely dark. The bathroom on the top floor, the sitting room with its ornate ceiling rose, the grand entrance hall – all sitting in shadow when they should’ve been lit.

Rather than just fitting the new transformer and hoping for the best, Charlie methodically tested each circuit individually. He traced the wiring through the back of the house, checking connections at each terminal block, looking for any signs of damage or wear. The testing process took a while because Charlie wanted to be absolutely certain everything was functioning correctly before he finished. Just like testing circuits in a regular house, he needed to verify each run was sound, check for any shorts or faults, and make sure the new transformer could handle the load properly. The tiny bulbs might not draw much power individually, but with so many lights throughout the house, it all adds up.

Once the new transformer was properly connected and all the circuits had been verified, the transformation was remarkable. Room by room, the house came back to life. The chandeliers sparkled again, the wall sconces cast their gentle light across miniature wallpaper, and even the small lamps in the sitting room glowed warmly. You could see the detailed work Sally had put into every corner – the patterned floors, the tiny furniture arrangements, the carefully chosen colour schemes for each room. Without the lighting, so much of that craftsmanship just disappeared into darkness.

Sally’s reaction when she saw everything working again said it all. She sent us a message that really touched everyone in the team. She’d never experienced anything like this before, someone offering to come and fix something without charging her. That’s exactly why we run Positive Connections. These moments, where we can make a genuine difference to someone’s day, remind us why we set up the initiative.

The dolls house now sits proudly with every window glowing, showing off each carefully decorated room. The contrast between the photos taken before and after Charlie’s visit couldn’t be more striking. What was a beautiful but shadowy structure is now properly illuminated, bringing out all the detail and charm that makes it special. From the rich burgundy walls in the dining room to the soft blue tones in one of the bedrooms, every colour pops now that the lights are back on.

For Sally, having her dolls house restored meant getting back something she clearly treasured. For our team, it was another reminder of how the Positive Connections initiative reaches beyond just typical electrical problems. Sometimes it’s helping someone get their heating working, other times it’s sorting out a faulty socket, and occasionally it’s bringing light back to a miniature Georgian mansion. Every job matters because every person matters.