A £60k refurbishment project at Rutland House has transformed the internal look and feel of the residential service in Stoke-on-Trent.
Person-centred investment to shared areas, along with people’s own spaces, have made Rutland House more accessible and created a modernised environment for those who call it home.
Tony has a diagnosis of complex ADHD and lives at Rutland House.
The refurbishment project was completed while he was away in Blackpool for his 40th birthday. He was over the moon to return to his newly refurbished home, which has been adapted to better support his needs.
Tony has shared a short story with us. These are Tony’s exact words.
“My name is Tony, and my home is a place where I should feel safe, comfortable and supported.
Rutland House staff team have worked alongside National Care Group to help me to make changes to my environment that meet my individual needs, particularly at times when I become anxious or distressed.
When I am feeling anxious, I can sometimes struggle to manage my emotions, and this may result in damage to my surroundings.
To help reduce the impact of this and to keep me safe, the team has made several important changes to my home.
The lounge has been decorated, and the walls have been boarded to make the environment more durable and better able to with stand damage. This means that the room remains a comfortable and welcoming space for me while also taking into consideration the challenges I can experience when I am anxious.
My bedroom has also been decorated and adapted to provide me with a calm and comfortable space where I can spend time relaxing and feel secure. The changes have been made with my individual needs in mind rather than simply expecting me to adapt to a standard environment.
The stairs have also been boarded and adapted to provide greater durability and help maintain a safe environment throughout my home.
These changes have been made because the people supporting me understand that environmental damage can sometimes occur when I am experiencing heightened anxiety. Rather than viewing this simply as challenging behaviour, Rutland team and National Care Group has considered the reasons behind my behaviour and how my surroundings can be adapted to support me.
The aim is to help me feel safe, reduce anxiety and provide an environment that is appropriate for my needs. The adaptations also help staff to maintain my home and support my safety while continuing to provide me with dignity, choice and independence.
National Care Group continues to work alongside me to understand my needs and identify ways of supporting me when I become anxious.”
The upgrades at Rutland House form part of National Care Group’s commitment to continuously provide high-quality support and invest in service upgrades so that people can achieve their goals in accessible, modern settings.
With a commitment to sustainability and unlocking positive change, the Estates Team at National Care Group collaborated with local contractors to undertake the upgrades.
National Care Group is one of the UK’s leading adult social care providers. We support adults with learning disabilities, mental health diagnoses, acquired brain injuries, and autistic people, with services across England and Wales.
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