New bespoke wet room funded by community grant

A new bespoke wet room has been installed at Hft’s residential service for learning disabled adults in Evesham – thanks to a local business.

The new wet room at Clementi Court was funded with a grant from Severn Trent Community Fund.

Work has seen the former outdated bathroom completely transformed and fitted with a new power shower, toilet, state of the art body drier, heated towel rail, underfloor heating and cupboards for individuals to store personal items.

The refit has made the bathroom more accessible for the four people with complex physical needs who live at Clementi Court.

Clementi Court Service Manager Kelly Jones said: “All the people we support use specialist wheelchairs which are designed specifically for their needs.

“These are much bigger than a traditional wheelchair and were difficult for colleagues to manouvere when supporting people with their personal care.

“It also often made bathing challenging for them.

“The body dryer is a really great aspect of the refit as it does not just keep the people we support warm after taking a shower, but also helps them to dry naturally and reduces the use of towels which helps to maintain their skin integrity.

“The new wet room has been designed around the unique needs of its users and ensures dignity, choice and autonomy at all times.”

A much-loved addition to the new wet room is a Bluetooth speaker system, LED lighting and a projector which beams images on to the walls.

“We always know when someone is having a shower because the music starts,” said Kelly.

“It seems as if Dancing Queen by Abba is the favourite track to enjoy while in there.

Hft Corporate Partnerships and Philanthropy Manager Rob Harding said: “Clementi Court is an amazing example of the kinds of bespoke services that can be put in place to meet the needs of the people Hft supports.

“The amazing support from Severn Trent Community Fund has highlighted the benefits of wet rooms for other Hft services.”

Jade Gough, Community Fund Officer at Severn Trent, said: “Hft is dedicated to helping learning disabled people live the best life possible through their personalised care and support and we’re so thrilled that we’ve been able to help the charity install a specialist sensory bathroom for the people they support at Clementi Court, providing a space tailored for their individual needs that gives them improved dignity and comfort.”