We offer assistance to older, disabled and vulnerable people by providing advice on housing options, minor and major housing adaptations as well as delivering a handyperson service for small jobs.
Adaptations are often a key factor in enabling disabled people and older people to remain living independently in the community. There are two main types:
- major adaptations: these are structural alterations such as a stairlift or level access shower to a property, normally costing more than £1,000
- minor adaptions: these are normally smaller adaptations, such as grab rails, and typically cost less than £1,000.
Major adaptations
You can self-fund adaptation works through a variety of methods including:
- personal savings
- loans
- equity release
- charitable funding
- maximising benefits.
For any self-funding option we can offer you an occupational therapy assessment to help you decide on the most appropriate adaptation to meet your needs in both the short and long term. There is no cost for this assessment and advice.
For any of the self-funding options, the handyperson and adaptations team can offer you technical advice, write a specification, draw plans, help you select a contractor from an approved list and oversee the builders/contractors to ensure the quality of the works for a reasonable fee (5% of the cost of the works, with a maximum cost of £300).
Minor adaptations
Older people and those with a disability or at high risk of falling can directly access our handyperson and adaptation team for help with minor adaptations such as grab rails and additional banister rails. The service is subsidised and you only pay for materials at cost price.
If you are a tenant of a housing association you can receive assistance with certain types of adaptations. Many do not require a referral from an occupational therapist. You should contact your landlord directly to find out more information about their adaptation policy.
If you are a tenant in a privately rented property, you will need to speak to your landlord and ask permission to have an adaptation undertaken and talk to them about funding opportunities. The handyperson and adaptation team can assist.
Support for moving to alternative accommodation
Moving to a more suitably designed or already adapted property may be a more cost-effective and better solution than adapting your current home.
If you are a tenant in a housing association property you should first approach your landlord who will look at ways to help find you an alternative property to meet your needs. Your landlord may give you priority to move to a more suitable available property.
If you are a homeowner or private tenant, whose property is unsuitable for adaptation or very expensive to adapt, you may want to consider moving to a property what would better meet your needs. This could include a rented property with an adaptation already in place or an extra care facility.
For further information please see the guide below:
Translated versions of these documents are available below:
Large print versions of these documents are available below: