Adapting our homes to tenants’ needs

James, who’s been a Berneslai Homes tenant for 15 years, lives in a bungalow in Gilroyd that’s been fitted with disabled adaptations, including:

• installing an outdoor ramp
• revamping the bathroom into a wet room
• adding a tracking hoist in the bedroom
• completing door alterations

James lives with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita, which causes the joints to contract in his arms and legs limiting mobility.

In his own words, he talks about the process of getting his home adapted: “I’d been waiting for a bungalow for a long time mainly because of my needs. As the team had noticed I’d been waiting for a while, they were keen to find somewhere for me.

“A lot of the work to my bungalow was done before I moved in, and the process of getting in was quite simple.

“They had to give me a new wet room and bathroom. There was a shower in there originally, so they took that out and put railings in. Chris and the team did my wet room, and it was very positive.

“The OT that was working with Berneslai Homes was absolutely brilliant. Anytime I said I could really do with this, she booked in an appointment with me and we discussed it to see what they could do to help.”

When we caught up with James about his experience, he was looking through old comics and told us about how his interest in comics helped him as a child: “I spent quite a bit of time in a children’s hospital when I were younger. Every time I went down to the operating room they had like a rule, you could go down with whatever you wanted.

“I always wanted to go down to the operating table as Batman, in my Batman costume! I used to get comics to read while I was spending me time there, so I think it’s just been growing ever since really.”

If you’re a Berneslai Homes tenant, we may be able to help by providing equipment or adapting your home to meet your needs. Read the information on our equipment and adaptations page to find out more.