Adaptations can change people’s lives

As part of the continuing service to our tenants, we carry out adaptations to homes, in response to the needs of people who have a disability.  These adaptations play a significant part in enabling people to remain independent in their own homes and, this year, we have already carried out adaptations to the value of over £970,000 within the Ards Borough.

Margaret McKittrick has been living in her Comber home for 19 years and has now had the benefit of a ground floor bedroom and bathroom extension provided by us.

Margaret explained:

“I have mobility problems and I found it difficult to manage the stairs and to use the small kitchen and bathroom facilities. The Housing Executive has helped greatly by providing a ground floor extension that not only includes an enlarged kitchen and dining area, but also a bathroom and a bedroom.  This has helped me cope better with my living conditions and has really improved my quality of life."

"The extension has given the whole family a tremendous boost.  We not only have a modern kitchen and dining area, we also have more room throughout the house. All the agencies that were involved with providing the extension worked very well together, and the workmen from M.J. Shaw builders were very good. Whilst there was some disruption to our lives, it was worth it in the end.  I would really recommend this work to anyone in a similar situation.”

Owen Brady, District Manager in Newtownards, is encouraging tenants who feel they may benefit from an adaptation to contact their local office for more information.

“Some of the adaptations that we provide are quite small, such as grab rails and bath aids, and if a tenant feels that they need a minor adaptation such as this, they should contact the South East Area Customer Service Unit on 03448 920 901  to arrange for an inspection that will identify what we may be able to provide."

"In many other cases, we can provide major adaptations such as level deck showers, ground floor WCs, lifts and ground floor bedrooms and a change of heating system, if the work is recommended by an Occupational Therapist. If a tenant feels that they need a major adaptation, they should contact the Area Welfare Officer at the Area Office in Court Street for advice on how we may be able to meet their needs.”

17 Feb 2010

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