Member Article

Business Venture To Assist Disabled

TWO local healthcare businesses have merged to assist elderly and less-abled people across the North-East with the opening of a new retail store this week.

Leading stair lift provider Dolphin Stairlifts has partnered with home adaptation company Shape Adaptations to create an interactive public showroom and new joint office headquarters in Kingston Park, Newcastle.

The Independent Living Showroom, which will be opened by Paralympic Team GB star Stephen Miller on Thursday, will become the biggest and most varied disability showroom in the region while the space also houses offices for existing staff of both healthcare companies.

Bob Lines, managing director at Dolphin Stairlifts, said: “We decided to partner with Shape Adaptations to give customers a more rounded service in terms of what they may need to adapt their homes due to age or disability.

“In reality, many people need more than just a stair lift or a hoist to adopt their or a family member’s home, so Shape has provided that extension to our offering. The idea is that the showroom acts as a visual platform for the public as people across the region can now for the first time see how a product such as a stair lift or wet room will look in their own home.

“Having Stephen Miller on-board is fantastic as he’s a great ambassador for the region and understands first-hand what it’s like to adapt your home,” added Bob.

The new retail outlet based near Tesco Kingston Park will assist customers with full home adaptations including wet rooms, door widening, elevators, kitchen adaptations, ramps, hoists and mobility aids.

Stephen Miller, who has cerebral palsy, said of the showroom: “Not only is it a great place for people living with disabilities to come and have a look at what is out there to make life a little easier but it is a great boost for the North-East in terms of having such a showroom on our doorstep.

“I believe the Independent Living Showroom is setting a great example and hopefully it will help overcome some of the obstacles associated with having a disability. I can tell these guys know what they’re doing and understand how important it is to match the right products to the individual and their families. I’m really looking forward to the day and officially opening the showroom.”

For more information please visit: www.independentlivingshowroom.co.uk

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Jodie Balmer .