‘New bathroom suite has changed our lives’
Grandparents Brian and Josie Jones say their quality of life has improved after being helped with a grant to transform their bathroom.

The couple, from Harvey Road, Meir, have had their bath replaced with a state-of-the-art ‘wet room’, including a wheelchair-friendly shower, a raised toilet, lever taps, grab rails and a space-saving corner basin.

The measures, designed to help Mr Jones who has Parkinson’s Disease and bowel cancer, have been supported by a Stoke-on-Trent City Council-backed scheme. And now the couple are urging other people to come forward and access the service.

The authority has commissioned Revival, the Home Improvement Agency at Staffordshire Housing Association, to help identify funding, provide advice and to employ and manage approved contractors carry out home repairs for people who are over 60, in receipt of benefits, on a low income or are struggling with repairs. Homeowners can access a range of grants and affordable loans through Revival.

Brian and Josie, who own their 1930s semi-detached property and have lived their for 29 years, were helped to receive a grant of £6,500 from the Royal British Legion, as the couple had both served in the armed forces.

Workmen from Burslem-based building services company BGC worked with an occupational therapist to identify modifications to meet Brian and Josie’s needs, and carried out the work within six days.

Josie, 66, said: “Our old bathroom was very cramped and getting in and out of the bath was becoming increasingly difficult for Brian.

“Revival identified that the Royal British Legion could help, and we were visited by an occupational therapist. As well as drawing up plans for the bathroom, we have also had extra rails fitted to the stairs and Brian has also had a new chair which has an electronic riser to help lift him forward.

“When the new wet room was completed we went ‘wow’, it is so much better. It has changed our lives.”

Brian, 67, added: “I didn’t want to move off the estate, I just wanted a better quality of life. The new shower has made a huge difference. I can now shower and don’t have to think about falling. I can’t praise the workmen enough, they were extremely considerate, and after completing the work they even brought us a bouquet of flowers.

“We have been telling people about the excellent service we have received and would urge other people to access the scheme.”

Councillor John Daniels, cabinet member for housing, environment and neighbourhood services, said: “We want to ensure city residents have decent homes that meet their requirements. This is an excellent initiative to help people improve their homes and I’d encourage residents to find out how they can be helped.”