Customer praises Longhurst Group for stepping in and sorting bathroom adaptation works
10 December 2021
A customer who had his bid for support to install adaptations to his home turned down by his local authority has praised Longhurst Group for stepping in and helping him maintain his independence.
Gary Spratt, who lives in Northampton, has Multiple Sclerosis and wanted to have his bathroom converted into a wet room.
The library manager, who’s also the assistant coach to both the senior and junior Northampton Saints wheelchair rugby teams, was “annoyed and frustrated” when his application for grant funding was rejected by the local council due to being in full time employment.
However, now that we’ve stepped in to help, Mr Spratt says he’s extremely thankful after a level access shower has been installed.
“Due to my MS progressing, I wanted to convert my bathroom into a wet room,” he said.
“I was annoyed and frustrated [that his application was rejected] after all I’ve paid in via taxes and council tax. I still take pride in being able to work.
“I could choose the easy option and claim benefits and then it would have gone ahead no issues. I feel like I was penalised because I fight my MS on a daily basis.
I went back to Longhurst Group to ask for some help and I’m extremely thankful to them. It’s now future-proofed my bungalow and allows me my independence
“I went back to Longhurst Group to ask for some help and I’m extremely thankful to them. It’s now future-proofed my bungalow and allows me my independence and helps me to keep myself clean.
“I’m so happy that my concerns and needs have been listened to.
“The team has kept me up-to-date with timescales and procedures and they were always on hand to answer my questions. The company who did the works were first class.
“I’d just like to say a huge thank you.”
Joe Taylor, Project Officer – Aids and Adaptations, added: “We wanted to step in to help Gary maintain his independence and have the ability to wash himself.
“He wanted to continue to work, remain independent and contribute to society and so we wanted to do all we could to help him do that.
“I’m pleased that he’s happy with the finished product and this is a perfect example of how our aids and adaptations service helps deliver our Improving Lives vision.”
All of this work has been made possible by the accessibility project and the adaptations process the Group offers.
If you’d like to know more about the accessibility project and the adaptations service, please get in touch with the Independent Living Team on email via independent.livingservice@longhurst-group.org.uk