“If I could have, I would have danced all weekend!”

For Liz, who has lived in her home for almost 40 years, recent improvements have transformed everyday life and brought peace of mind.

“From the day I moved in, I felt comfortable and really at home,” says Liz, who raised her four children there. “I’ve always lived in this area, and I love it, it’s absolutely wonderful.”

But with arthritis affecting her knees, hips and hands, simple tasks were becoming harder. Parking was difficult on her busy street, and the steep steps and narrow path made getting in and out of the house a challenge.

“Sometimes I couldn’t park outside at all and had to use the church car park down the road,” she explains. “The church is wonderful and very welcoming, but on busy weekends it could be packed, and then I’d have to walk back up the hill which was difficult.”

When she found out the front of her home was being transformed, Liz couldn’t believe it. “I don’t think I stopped smiling. If I could have, I would have danced all weekend!” 

Two years on, Liz still appreciates the difference. “Even now I look at it and think, wow. If I ever need to use my mobility scooter, it’s easy to get in and out. The drop kerb means nobody can park outside, so I’ve always got access.”

Safety has improved too. The patio was levelled, handrails fitted, and new steps made wider and shallower. “With arthritis, some days are good, some are bad, and some are horrendous, but the handrails mean I feel safe and steady. Even taking the bins out is easier now – before it was a nightmare.”

It has also meant more family time. “My mum is 95 and amazing, but since Covid her mobility has really declined. Before, the old steps without a handrail made it almost impossible for her to visit. Now she can come and go more easily and spend time with us, which is lovely.”

For Liz, the changes have been life changing, but what stands out most is the support she received. “Trivallis have done a huge amount of work here and it’s been absolutely brilliant.”

She says it’s the reassurance that matters most. “It’s just reassuring to know that if something needs doing, Trivallis are there to help – and they really do a good job.”