Last year we spent approximately £165,000 on aids and adaptations to your homes, carrying out:

• 241 minor adaptations – including grab rails, banister rails and step alterations
• 69 major adaptations – including 23 wet rooms, 31 over-bath showers, three ramps and other adaptations such as clos-o-mats.

       

Ex-serviceman Ray Wilkinson began struggling when getting in and out of the bath following a heart attack, so we
installed a wet room following a recommendation from his occupational therapist.

He said: “The work was completed in just a few days and I am so pleased as it means I can stay here.”

Bill and Sylvia Heatley contacted Riverside for help after Bill, 73, was diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asking us to fit a stair lift and an upstairs wet room.

Patricia Christie, Aids and Adaptations Coordinator, said: “Our policy is to refuse permission for first floor wet rooms, so I worked with Mr and Mrs Heatley to identify the best solution for their long-term needs – in this case,
a move to a bungalow with no steps and a wet room.”

For more information, contact Patricia on Tel: 0345 111 0000.

Investment news in brief

 

Our Communal Area Inspectors carry out visits each month to ensure communal areas are free from rubbish and obstruction, and to test fire alarms. If you notice any problems, contact us on Tel: 0345 111 0000.

Our planned investment works this year included a £2 million programme to replace 258 roofs in estates across Carlisle. With works in Belah, Old Harraby and Petteril Bank completed, we are more than halfway through this programme.

 

Gerald Warwick has retired after 44 years, starting work as an apprentice joiner at 15 with the city council. He has seen enormous changes over the years. He said: “The improvements to the quality of homes and the services we now offer is much better for tenants. Back then there was no central heating, most homes had coal fires. We didn’t have vans either and had to push our tools around on a cart or wheel barrow.”

The property services team welcomes Dan Wood and Richard Graham as Apprentice Joiners. Both attend college one day a week and work with the team in Cumbria learning practical skills on site. They were presented with tool kits by Divisional Director Dean Butterworth.

 

Property Services Manager Mark Barron joined 25 years ago for a one-year contract. He was surprised when the whole team turned up on site to mark the occasion in October.

Esh Border Construction is building 13 new affordable homes on the former site of the Ladyseat sheltered housing scheme. The development will provide a mixture of bungalows, and two-bedroom and three-bedroom accommodation. The build, costing £1,604,951, is funded by Riverside and the Homes and Communities Agency. The homes for rent are due to be completed by summer 2016.

 

Lee Morris is now in his third year as an Apprentice Joiner with Riverside. He was delighted when Esh Border Construction offered him the opportunity to complete his practical work on site at Ashness Drive, where they are building new homes for rent. Lee has been working on timber walls, roof timbers and staircases, and is now moving on to fit doors and windows. His college tutor is impressed and Lee has now completed almost all practical aspects of his course.