When the NHS were re-providing a service for adults with complex disabilities they approached us to deliver a bespoke supported accommodation scheme for five people sharing. Support staff would either visit the property regularly, or be there during the day and sometimes also overnight as well. People living at the property needed adapted facilities to enable them to do their own cooking, gardening and housework, with help from staff. The accommodation also needed to promote the other advantages of a shared property including mutual support, opportunities to develop friendships with other people, and more organised activities.

We had regularly meetings with the NHS and carers so that we understood who the accommodation was for and how it needed to be configured and adapted to meet their individual needs. We created a large and spacious lounge, open plan kitchen, laundry room, wetroom and individual bedrooms and a bespoke self-contained annex for one person who preferred her own space. All pathways, hallways and doorways were designed to be wide enough for a wheelchair. Communal spaces were made to go beyond being able to fit a wheelchair though there was space for a wheelchair to turn around.

In the wetroom this was designed to have enough space for a wheelchair, and to transfer to the toilet. The walls and ceilings are strong enough to fit supports and hoists where necessary and there is a level-access shower with controls within easy reach. The kitchen needed to be big enough for a wheelchair user to get around and have appliances in easy reach. Our adapted kitchen options allow for this and can even have sinks that move up and down.

The finished property looks spacious, with wider doorways so that people can easily get from one room to another and in the bedroom people chose their own decoration.

We were delighted to hear that the clinical lead for GPs reported that there had been a noticeable improvement in the wellbeing of the people who had moved in which was attributed to the benefits of their new home.