Accessible Housing Matters UK

EP - 6
Summary
In this episode, Ruth Hunter speaks with Sandra Bentley, an accessibility advocate with a spinal cord injury, about her journey navigating the Disability Facilities Grant (DFG) to adapt her home. Sandra shares her experiences, challenges, and insights on the importance of autonomy in design, the role of occupational therapists, and the complexities of funding and VAT related to home adaptations. They discuss the need for policy change in accessible housing and the importance of educating developers and policymakers to create universally designed homes that meet the needs of all individuals, regardless of ability.
 
Takeaways
Sandra Bentley is a passionate accessibility advocate with lived experience of disability.
Navigating the DFG can be complex and requires proactive engagement with local authorities.
Occupational therapists play a crucial role in the home adaptation process.
Home adaptations should prioritize the individual's needs and preferences, not just standard solutions.
Understanding VAT implications can significantly impact the budget for home adaptations.
It's essential to advocate for oneself and seek out available resources and funding.
Designing accessible spaces can be aesthetically pleasing and functional.
Policy change is necessary to ensure all new homes are built with accessibility in mind.
Education for developers and policymakers is key to creating inclusive housing.
Future-proofing homes is vital for accommodating changing needs over time.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Accessibility Advocacy
04:12 Navigating Life Changes After Disability
10:10 Understanding the Disability Facilities Grant (DFG)
19:51 The Process of Home Adaptation and Project Management
24:53 Navigating the Builder Selection Process
27:31 Lessons Learned from Home Adaptations
29:56 Understanding Funding and Financial Support
30:54 VAT and Adaptations: What You Need to Know
35:04 The Need for Education in Accessible Housing
41:02 Future-Proofing Homes for All
 
Keywords
accessible housing, disability facilities grant, accessibility advocacy, home adaptations, occupational therapy, project management, universal design, VAT on adaptations, policy change, housing crisis
 
Contact details for Sandra Bentley
 
bentleysandra64@outlook.com
Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandra-bentley-825407112
 
Thanks for listening to Accessible Housing Matters UK!
 
If you’re inspired to learn more or want to explore working with me on creating accessible, inclusive, and beautiful properties, I’d love to hear from you.
👉 Visit www.veredusproperty.com📩 Email me directly at info@veredusproperty.com🔗 Connect with me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ruthhunter
Together, we can make accessible housing the standard, not the exception.Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who cares about inclusive living!
 
 

EP - 5
Summary
In this episode of Accessible Housing Matters UK, Katy Deacon shares her journey as a chartered engineer and her personal experiences with accessibility challenges due to multiple sclerosis. She discusses the importance of inclusive design in engineering, her efforts to modify her home for accessibility, and the financial and emotional hurdles she faced.
Katy also highlights the role of benevolent funds in supporting individuals with disabilities and introduces her company, Towards Belonging, which aims to bridge the gap between the disabled community and the engineering industry. She concludes with an exciting project involving AI in design software to promote accessibility in architecture.
Takeaways
Accessibility must be a priority in engineering design.Personal experiences can drive professional change.Inclusive design benefits everyone, not just those with disabilities.Financial support options exist for home modifications.Benevolent funds can provide crucial assistance for those in need.Community engagement is essential for understanding accessibility needs.Innovative solutions can transform living spaces for wheelchair users.Education on accessibility should be integrated into engineering curricula.AI can streamline the process of creating accessible designs.Collaboration between disabled individuals and engineers is vital for progress.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Katy Deacon's Journey04:17 Personal Experience with Accessibility Challenges08:35 Engineering Solutions for Accessibility13:44 Financial Aspects of Home Modifications21:57 The Role of Benevolent Funds23:44 Towards Belonging: Bridging Gaps in Accessibility27:34 Innovative Projects in Accessible Design
 
Keywords
accessible housing, engineering, disability, inclusivity, personal experience, home modifications, benevolent funds, Towards Belonging, AI in design, accessibility challenges
 
Contact for Katy Deacon
www.towardsbelonging.co.uk
https://www.linkedin.com/in/katy-deacon
 
Thanks for listening to Accessible Housing Matters UK!
 
If you’re inspired to learn more or want to explore working with me on creating accessible, inclusive, and beautiful properties, I’d love to hear from you.
👉 Visit www.veredusproperty.co.uk📩 Email me directly at info@veredusproperty.co.uk🔗 Connect with me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ruthhunter
Together, we can make accessible housing the standard, not the exception.Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who cares about inclusive living!
 

EP- 4
Summary
In this conversation, Ruth Hunter speaks with Charles Van Berkel, founder of AbleStays, about the importance of accessible holiday accommodation. They discuss the challenges faced in creating inclusive spaces, the financial hurdles in the accessible housing market, and the need for collaboration to improve accessibility in tourism. Charles shares his journey in establishing AbleStays and the vision for expanding accessible housing solutions internationally.
Takeaways
Accessible holiday accommodation is crucial for inclusion.The journey to create inclusive holiday lets is challenging.Finding suitable properties for adaptation is increasingly difficult.Financial barriers hinder the development of accessible housing.Lenders often undervalue accessible properties, complicating financing.There is a significant demand for accessible holiday accommodations.Universal design can help overcome financial valuation issues.Collaboration is essential to tackle the challenges in accessible housing.The need for education around accessible housing is paramount.Creating aspirational designs can benefit everyone, not just those with disabilities.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Accessible Housing and AbleStays14:25 The Journey of Creating Inclusive Holiday Lets33:15 Challenges in Finding Accessible Properties44:01 Financial Hurdles in Accessible Housing56:03 The Future of Accessible Housing and Collaboration
Contact for Charles van Berckel
charles@ablestay.co.ukhttps://www.ablestay.co.uk/ - please register for updates and bookingshttps://www.facebook.com/AbleStayhttps://www.instagram.com/ablestay_london/
 
Thanks for listening to Accessible Housing Matters UK!
 
If you’re inspired to learn more or want to explore working with me on creating accessible, inclusive, and beautiful properties, I’d love to hear from you.
👉 Visit www.veredusproperty.co.uk📩 Email me directly at info@veredusproperty.co.uk🔗 Connect with me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ruthhunter
Together, we can make accessible housing the standard, not the exception.Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who cares about inclusive living!
 

Ep - 3
Summary
In this episode, Ruth Hunter interviews Laura Wood, co-founder of Invisible Creations, discussing the importance of inclusive design in housing. Laura shares her inspiration from her grandmother's struggles with mobility and how it led to the creation of aesthetically pleasing and functional adaptations for homes. The conversation covers the significance of future-proofing designs, the cost-effectiveness of early interventions, and the need to change societal perceptions of accessibility. Laura emphasises the importance of outdoor accessibility and the role of campaigning in promoting inclusive design solutions.
Takeaways
Laura's grandmother inspired the creation of Invisible Creations.
Minor adaptations can significantly improve independence for older adults.
Stigma around traditional grab rails prevents necessary adaptations.
Inclusive design benefits everyone, not just those with disabilities.
Future-proofing homes can save costs on retrofitting later.
Accessible design can be aesthetically pleasing and functional.
Early intervention can prevent falls and health issues.
Outdoor accessibility is crucial for mental well-being.
Campaigning is essential to raise awareness about inclusive design.
91% of older adults live in mainstream housing, highlighting the need for adaptations.
Chapters
00:00Introduction to Invisible Creations
03:11The Inspiration Behind the Business
05:45Designing for Dignity and Independence
08:51Future-Proofing Bathrooms and Kitchens
11:55Cost-Effectiveness of Accessible Design
14:57The Importance of Early Intervention
18:11Changing Perceptions of Accessibility
21:01Innovative Everyday Solutions
23:57The Future of Inclusive Design
27:02Outdoor Accessibility and Well-Being
29:53Campaigning for Change
33:04Conclusion and Call to Action
 
Contact Laura Woods
 
Here is the link for the Fit for our Future campaign www.fitforourfuture.co.uk
Visit the websites www.invisiblecreations.co.uk and www.procare-ltd.co.uk for their products.
Email Laura.wood@invisiblecreations.co.uk
 
Thanks for listening to Accessible Housing Matters UK!
If you’re inspired to learn more or want to explore working with me on creating accessible, inclusive, and beautiful properties, I’d love to hear from you.
👉 Visit www.veredusproperty.co.uk📩 Email me directly at info@veredusproperty.co.uk🔗 Connect with me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ruthhunter
Together, we can make accessible housing the standard, not the exception.
Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who cares about inclusive living!

Ep - 2
Summary
In this conversation, Ruth Hunter and Elaine Hollerhead discuss the importance of accessible housing and universal design. Elaine shares her journey from occupational therapy to interior design, emphasising the need to change perceptions about accessible adaptations.
They explore the concept of the 'purple pound' and the financial power of the disabled community, while also addressing common misconceptions about the demand for accessible housing.
The discussion highlights the role of occupational therapists in the design process, the definition of universal design, and the importance of creating spaces that are functional yet aesthetically pleasing. They also touch on the challenges faced in the industry, the need for policy changes, and the potential market opportunities for accessible housing.
 
Takeaways
Accessible design should be functional and aesthetically pleasing.
The purple pound represents significant spending power in the disabled community.
There is a misconception that accessible housing is not in demand.
Occupational therapists play a crucial role in housing adaptations.
Universal design should cater to everyone, regardless of ability.
Design mistakes often stem from a lack of understanding of universal needs.
Both baths and showers can be incorporated into accessible designs.
Policy changes are needed to prioritize accessible housing.
There is a growing market for accessible properties.
Collaboration with experts can enhance design outcomes.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Accessible Housing01:14 Elaine's Journey and Background02:17 Perceptions of Accessible Housing03:01 Understanding the Purple Pound04:38 Challenges in Housing Adaptations06:44 The Role of Occupational Therapists08:22 Defining Universal Design09:07 Common Mistakes in Design12:16 Balancing Baths and Showers15:35 Successful Design Examples18:04 Cost-Effective Universal Design Tips19:27 Finding Occupational Therapists21:56 Policy Changes for Accessible Housing24:21 Clientele and Market Opportunities
 
Contact Elaine Hollerhead
https://www.designate-uk.co.uk/
Telephone +44 117 3790049Mobile +44 7557 309466
 
Thanks for listening to Accessible Housing Matters UK!
If you’re inspired to learn more or want to explore working with me on creating accessible, inclusive, and beautiful properties, I’d love to hear from you.
👉 Visit www.veredusproperty.co.uk📩 Email me directly at info@veredusproperty.co.uk🔗 Connect with me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ruthhunter
Together, we can make accessible housing the standard, not the exception.Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who cares about inclusive living!
 

Ep - 1
Summary
In this episode of Accessible Housing Matters UK, host Ruth Hunter introduces the concept of accessible housing and the importance of Disabled Facilities Grants (DFGs).
She interviews Paul Smith, director of Foundations, who explains the DFG process, eligibility, and the role of landlords in facilitating adaptations for tenants with disabilities.
The conversation also covers the design aspects of accessible housing, emphasising the need for aesthetically pleasing adaptations that do not compromise on functionality. The episode concludes with a discussion on the benefits of investing in accessible adaptations for landlords and the potential for creating inclusive housing  solutions.
 
Takeaways
Accessible housing is crucial for individuals with disabilities.
Disabled Facilities Grants (DFGs) are available for all tenures.
The average DFG amount is around £9,000 to £10,000.
Landlords can apply for DFGs on behalf of tenants.
The application process can take up to six months.
Designing accessible spaces can be aesthetically pleasing.
Investing in accessible adaptations can attract long-term tenants.
Local authorities have discretion in DFG applications.
Understanding means testing is essential for eligibility.
Creating inclusive housing benefits the community as a whole.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Accessible Housing Matters UK05:12 Application Process for DFGs14:53 Designing Accessible and Universal Spaces21:08 Benefits of Accessible Adaptations for Landlords
 
Contact Paul Smith 
paul@foundations.uk.com
www.linkedin.com/paul-smith-63749b1a
 
Thanks for listening to Accessible Housing Matters UK!
If you’re inspired to learn more or want to explore working with me on creating accessible, inclusive, and beautiful properties, I’d love to hear from you.
👉 Visit www.veredusproperty.co.uk📩 Email me directly at info@veredusproperty.co.uk🔗 Connect with me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ruthhunter
Together, we can make accessible housing the standard, not the exception.Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who cares about inclusive living!
 

In this short intro episode, host Ruth Hunter shares why this podcast was created, who it’s for, and what you can expect in upcoming episodes. If you're passionate about inclusive design, housing equity, or building a better future for everyone, you're in the right place.