The residents and support staff at Sandy Lonning in Maryport have been celebrating after their new kitchen and dining room was finally completed in early December.
Sandy Lonning is home for seven residents who are assisted by three support staff from West House, the Cumbrian care provider.
West House were themselves managing the property but agreed with Fairoak to lease the property in April 2021 and the two organisations have taken a partnership approach in the running of the property and making adaptations to meet the needs of tenants.
Whilst the existing kitchen at Sandy Lonning was fine for able-bodied residents, those requiring the use of wheelchairs were unable (or, at best, found it very difficult) to access through the standard door opening, making it awkward for them to be part of communal mealtimes.
John Holmes, Asset & Compliance Manager at Fairoak explains further: “Previously this space had a dividing wall and two separate entrances – one for the main kitchen, the other for the second smaller kitchen where tenants could prepare their food for themselves. Neither of the spaces were really suitable for the needs of the residents.”
“The two doors into these rooms were just too narrow, not fit for purpose at all. We knew that some significant re-working of the whole space was required but it was also obvious that this would benefit everyone, both tenants and support staff.”
In close consultation with West House, and including tenants and care staff, the decision was made to amalgamate these rooms into one open-plan kitchen dining space that everyone could easily access, use and enjoy.
“Anyone who has had a new kitchen fitted in their own home will know of the upheaval this creates.” continues John, “An ideal scenario would have been to relocate all of the tenants whilst the works were being undertaken, but that just wasn’t an option.”
“We had to plan how the home could still operate whilst ensuring the work was done as quickly as possible. From making a start, knocking out walls and removing the old kitchen units to finish and being able to hand over a new working kitchen took just under nine weeks.”
Nine weeks seems a long time but this did include structural works where a supporting wall had to be removed. A new larger window was also created looking out onto the rear garden. Then there was all the fitting of the new kitchen and appliances, new flooring, removing and replacing the old ceiling and fitting low energy LED lighting replacing the fluorescent strip-lights.
“We’ve resolved the access issue by creating a new wider door which tenants in wheelchairs can get through much more easily, and removing the dividing wall has meant there’s much more usable space.”
The new dining area also includes an area where, if they wish, tenants can prepare their own breakfast or snacks. This is helped by the worktop being on a height adjustable mechanism which makes everything in easy reach for everyone, even wheelchair users.
The support workers at Sandy Lonning were honest with us and explained that it was a real challenge at times to manage without a proper kitchen – meals were often cooked in the living room and washing up occasionally had to be done in a bath, but everyone does agree that the new kitchen has been well worth all the effort.
“The whole project, including labour and all materials, has come in at £30,000 which was funded by West House. Obviously this represents significant capital expenditure but creating this new space and how it’s already being used represents very good value and is an investment for the future.”
“We’ve also tried to plan for the future as well. If funds allow, we’d like to change the end of the dining area to have French windows to give direct access to the garden. Whilst the building work was going on, we took the opportunity to have this adapted, meaning it is less of a job when that time arrives.”
“It’s also very much the tenant’s kitchen.” adds John, “They have been consulted throughout and involved in quite a lot of the decision making – the style and colour of the kitchen itself was their choice.”
It was a rather grey, damp and chilly Cumbrian day in early December when we visited and have the new kitchen ‘officially’ opened, but the welcome was – just like the kitchen itself – warm, bright and very welcoming.
Katie performed the cutting of the ribbon with her other tenants in support, with Kirsty accepting a bouquet of flowers on behalf of everyone.
Lisa Chant, Fairoak Chief Executive: “I know it’s been a long and at times arduous process but the transformation is amazing. I really must thank everyone for their patience but especially give thanks to the support staff who have been nothing short of incredible in the way they have adapted and worked together to minimise the impact on the tenants.”
“There were a few hiccups along the way as anyone working on an old property will appreciate, and there were times when you think, ‘what have we started on….’ but we’ve got there in the end.”