Home Adaptations: "It’s been a life changing experience"
What happened when people asked Wirral Council to help them stay in their home:
Thousands of home adaptations are carried out across Wirral every year to help people of all ages remain in their homes.
Demand has been increasing for this type of help which ensures more people with disabilities and chronic conditions are able to stay with their families and in the communities.
One recipient said they had been unable to get upstairs for a number of years and added: “It has dramatically changed our lives for the better.”
The work on homes can range from a stairlift or even just a grabrail or stair rail installation, wheelchair access or a wet room, depending on the needs of the person.
The number of major and minor adaptation schemes delivered by Wirral Council’s Adaptation Service rise from 2943 in 2023/2024 and to 3547 in 2024-25 – the most the service has ever delivered in a year.
People have described what the adaptations have meant for them, from straightforward cases such as one recipient who wanted to “pass on his gratitude to the installer for such a good job on the stair rail” to more complex cases such as another user who told about the impact of his wife being diagnosed with Early Onset Vascular Dementia:
“She was 54. Since then, she has deteriorated quite quickly. As her health and mobility have got worse, Wirral Council became involved and have been a godsend for my wife, myself and our daughter.
“Handrails were fitted on the stairs and appliances were supplied. All the people we have spoken with, dealt with or had visits from have been kind, caring and very understanding.
“My wife can only walk very short distances now, so we have had to move our bedroom downstairs. She struggles getting in and out of the house as she cannot manage even small steps properly. We spoke about it to the Occupational Therapist and asked if anything could be done.”
Following an assessment wheelchair access was fitted to their home and the service was subsequently told by them: “It makes a great difference, and my wife can even now go out into our garden and relax."
He also praised the Technical Officer from the Housing Adaptations Team who he said “has been really helpful, caring and friendly.”
Another client of the Service said: “I am 78, always worked and never thought anything like this would happen. I have lived locally all my life and loved it but now realise how lucky we are to have such fantastic people looking after us.”
While another told the Service: “Just wanted to provide some feedback on [the installer] who came today to fit a banister for my mother, [he] was amazing and the work carried was fantastic. He was so helpful and respectful of my property consulting us throughout the process. We are so happy with his work, and he was such a lovely person as well it was a pleasure to meet him.”
On behalf of their parents another passed on their gratitude to the Housing Adaptation Service saying: “They want to thank all the team that were involved in the grant as it’s been a life changing experience, and they were overwhelmed with the support and compassion shown. Their professionalism was next to none and the whole process was smooth and simple.”
