New home is Taylor-made for Stephen

A Birmingham family is enjoying new-found freedom in their own home thanks to extensive adaptations carried out by a housing association for their disabled son Stephen.

The 19-year-old, who has cerebral palsy, recently moved into the property in Freemantle Drive, Shard End, with mother Anita and brother Alex, aged 21. It had been built as part of a redevelopment in the area by affordable housing provider Harden Housing Association, part of the West Mercia Housing Group.

But the landlord wanted to do everything to ensure the wheelchair user and his family had as much independence as possible, so undertook a raft of adaptations to help out.

These include a lift to take Stephen to his bedroom and the bathroom on the first floor. Worktops in the kitchen have been lowered so Stephen can reach easily.

Outside, Harden Housing had a carport built for Stephen, a pupil at Mayfields school, to use when he learns to drive, and a heated garden shed where he can re-charge his wheelchair battery and pursue his interest in cultivating plants.

Stephen’s mum Anita said the adaptations had changed their lives.

“Stephen has got so much independence now. He has got more dignity because he can get to his room on his own and use his own bathroom,” she said.

“His quality of life is so much better.

“We are so thankful for everything Harden Housing has done.”

The Taylors had been living in a private property in the Erdington area of Birmingham and had approached the city council about finding a specially-adapted property. Harden stepped in to say that they had a new property and then worked with the family to see what adaptations could be made.

Mal Ramsay, Harden’s housing assistant in the area, said:  “We wanted to make sure Stephen and his family has as much freedom as possible in their new home, so have done everything we can to help.

“We hope this house will make life easier for them now and for many years to come.”

Harden Housing, based in Digbeth, Birmingham, has redeveloped 133 homes in the Shard End area of the city to modernise an ageing estate. The work began in 2004 and Phase Three of the build programme is due to be completed in January 2008.

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Press release issued: February 26 2007