Jeremy Lives Life to the Full

Published by Anonymous for Two Rivers Housing in Health and also in Housing

Jeremy Baulcomb is determined to live life to the full, even though he has a severe lung condition which means he finds getting around a challenge.

Jeremy moved into his Two Rivers' Sunnybank home, in Coleford, around 18 months ago with his ultra supportive wife, Rachel, and two sons. The Two Rivers team worked hard to find a place that suited the family's needs.

The house was already fitted with a stair lift which allowed him to get up and downstairs, but there was more help on the cards.

Technical Support Officer Alan Parsons worked with Jeremy to develop a package of measures to meet his specific needs. Jeremy's top priorities were a wet room and an adapted kitchen.

It took around 3 weeks to transform the family home – and the team took extra precautions to protect Jeremy's health and welfare throughout the works.

The new kitchen was designed with a drop down worktop and lower light switches to make every kitchen encounter an easier one for Jeremy.

The family even got the chance to put their own stamp on the changes, choosing from a wide range of tiles and flooring.

Jeremy said the adaptations had made a massive difference to his life.

"I was very unsure how the works were going to affect my condition. But the team were really careful about dust, and planned everything with us – making sure that when electricity was cut I could switch to bottled Oxygen."

"The quality of work provided has been excellent, and those involved have worked with us every step of the way completing a house that we are very proud to live in," he said.

Two Rivers Customer Services chief Jon Coe said the not-for-profit homes organisation was working hard to help people live independent lives.

"We can help with minor works like grab rails and steps right the way through to single story extensions. We funded£146,000 worth of improvements for vulnerable tenants last year and got£130,000 support from local councils from the Disabled Grant Fund. That delivered 61 major adaptation projects like Jeremy's, and 309 minor jobs too," he said.