We worked in partnership with commissioners to design and create a bespoke home for three individuals with acquired brain injury (ABI).
This project was to offer a ‘home for life’ concept. The future tenants were identified as requiring re-housing as one was inappropriately located in NHS facilities due to lack of appropriate accommodation, the second had completed their stay at a rehabilitation unit, and the third was living in the family home and wanted to move on.
Each individual had unique requirements for their home based on their medical needs, residential history and community presence desires.
They, along with their Families, Social Workers, Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists, were partnered with our architectural and design team (the Development Team). The brief was to provide a future-proofed model for all individuals involved. The group met weekly to identify the property, define appropriate designs for remodelling, apply for suitable building and planning regulations, and then to shepherd the bespoke work through to completion.
The plan that came from these meetings involved:
- Demolition of a garage to allow for a wheelchair friendly construction of a large bedroom, wet room, sluice to recognise hygiene needs, and a relaxation area
- Removal of walls and repositioning of corridors with suitable door widths
- Non-slip flooring in appropriate places
- Design of adapted bathing facilities
- Temperature controlled bathing facilities
- Landscaping of gardens to ensure they were available, stimulating and with due maintenance consideration
- Smoke and heat detection systems of a specialist type, as it was necessary to link the door closures to the fire alarm to be activated automatically in the event of a fire
- Specialist fixtures and furnishings
- Low work surfaces to encourage household participation
- Neighbourhood working to dispel any concerns about the project
A parent said:
‘I was pleased that I was consulted about what (my son) needed in his room – his work desk, position of radiators, plugs etc. Overall I am very pleased with the way the project was handled. You and the team have been brilliant and the concerns of us ‘over anxious’ parents were handled sensitively and patiently. (He) loves the house – he refers to it as his home and says, ‘It’s for keeps’ ‘.
The Commissioner commented:
‘Purchase good, communication good. The big positive – the three guys are incredibly happy with their new home’.
To find out how we can meet your needs please contact Richie Healy, Business Development Manager on 07841462246 or email Richie.Healy@TPSupportedAccommodation.co.uk