Queenie and John Bottomley received a grant from Havering Council to transform their bathroom

Rainham couple receive a grant to transform their bathroom

Lee-Ann Richards , Reporter Thursday, January 10, 2013
3:45 PM

A Rainham couple can now get in and out of the shower a lot easier thanks to a home improvement grant.

John and Queenie Bottomley-both 81 from Philip Road received a grant from Havering Council to transform their bathroom into a shower

The couple had problems getting in and out of the shower in their old bathroom, which consisted of a small square shower tray, raised 12 inches off the floor.

This made it difficult for John to get in and out of and he had fallen using the shower a couple of times.

Their daughter-in-law became concerned and after hearing about a scheme run by the council which offers people with a disability a grant to adapt their homes, she encouraged them to apply. They submitted their application and they found out that they qualified for a grant.

John said: “I have a problem with feeling in my leg. I came out of the shower once and my foot was blue, I hadn’t realised that I’d hit it. I had also fallen over a few times because the step was so big getting in and out.”

An occupational therapist visited to see what could be done to make the bathroom safer and practical and the couple got involved in choosing colour schemes and the layout for their shower room.

The bathroom was in an extension which had poor electrics so as part of the works it was essential that the workmen made everything safe.

The grant paid for a basic shower room and the couple paid a bit extra to have more tiling and another light installed so that they could see better while in the shower.

Their son then added some finishing touches like curtains for the window to make the room look more homely.

Queenie, who has Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease said: “I wasn’t looking forward to having the work done because I was worried about the mess. But the workmen were so good and it only took ten days to do. It was definitely worth it, I love it now.”

The grant is open to adults or children with a physical disability to help them to live independently in their homes.

Visit www.havering.gov.uk