Released On 9th Oct 2021

Converted Garage

Mrs B worked for TSB for over 23 years when her husband was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Initially he was able to carry on in both his work and remain independent, however his condition, which was progressive, meant that he was unable to drive and eventually his movement became more and more restrictive.

Eventually, Mrs B had to give up her work in the Bank to care and assist her husband full time.

As they lived in a house his ability to cope with stairs particularly with the only bathroom being upstairs became more and more difficult. They had an ongoing conversation with Social Services who agreed to assist with funding to convert their garage into a downstairs bedroom and wet room. The entrance was also altered to enable wheelchair access which he was having to use to get outside. It was also becoming more necessary to use a wheelchair to get around the ground floor too.

Despite the fact that the structural work was covered by a Social Services Grant they found that they had to fund bedroom flooring and specialist bed themselves. Also as he was having to use more and more of his wheelchair the lounge and dinning floor also needed to have a laminate floor to make it easier to manoeuvre.

Mrs B contacted us via the online website and a home visit by an Area Representative was arranged and a confidential assessment of their financial situation completed. After it was established that they met the Fund criteria the committee agreed a grant of £2900 to enable them to purchase adjustable bed, non-slip flooring and a suitable floor covering for the lounge and dinning room. This enabled him to have an accessible bedroom and bathroom and at the same time make Mrs B’s life a lot easier to care for her husband.

After the work was completed they said how much easier this had made their lives and that they were able to see a way forward with this debilitating condition in years to come and were really grateful for the support from the Benevolent Fund.