Looking for possible grant?

felinesprite

Hello,

I do hope someone can help me. I have had to move home recently due to my previous accommadation being unsuitable for my needs. I was moved from a one bedroom ground-floor flat to a bungalow with a garden area.

The move was necessary on medical grounds and I was on the urgent list for a move to a property with a wet room. Previous to the move I had been awarded a mobility level 1 property (which is suitable for wheelchair use) but found myself caught in a never ending circle of need v age: the council agreed that I could bid on properties for people of 55 yrs and over but refused to allow me to bid on properties which were designated for those of 60/65 + yrs (I am 49 years old). The difficulty arose because all the mobility rated properties (both level 1 and 2) were only available for those people aged 60+. The only properties coming up without a mobility rating that I was entitled to bid on were completely unsuitable for my needs.

After two years of bidding I was finally offered the property I have now moved into which has a wet-room. The occupational therapist has made a number of critical adaptations to the property but there is a major problem with the garden area, which is mainly laid with paving stones.

The garden is EXTREMELY uneven and there are areas where the ground has sunk down and other areas which are raised. It is far too dangerous for me to go out there and this has been backed up by the occupational therapist who has said the risk of falling is severe. She approached Social Services with a request to have the garden made safe on health and safety grounds. That has been turned down and as a result of this, the council are also refusing to do the necessary work as their argument is they have to be led by Social Services.

I have contacted a local charity who work with disabled people and they have given me a quote to put decking down in the garded to make it even. They quoted me £850 to do the work, and said that it was not viable to put concrete/paving slabs down as the ground is moving too quickly. They also said that it would cost twice as much to do that than putting decking down.

So my question is this: is there any form of funding or grant that I might be entitled to help with the cost of the work, bearing in mind that the work needs to be done on health and safety grounds, and that *not* doing the work is not an option.

I do not have that sort of money at all and have already got a significant amount of credit card debt due to all sorts of moving expenses, etc. I am in receipt of income support, as well as Incapacity Benefit and DLA. I would truly appreciate any advice you my have.

Many thanks
Mandy

Dunroamin

As you haven't had a garden up to now, could you just not use it and wait until you can get some savings together?

pmlindyloo

There is a grants search here:

http://www.turn2us.org.uk/grants_search/advanced.aspx

I am sure some more people wll be along with other ideas.

It would help if you could give us a little more information so the search can be targetted.

For example, there are various charities connected to previous occupations - would this be applicable? eg Teachers Benevolent Fund

Also if you don't mind my asking personal questions - I am presuming you use a wheelchair from what you say - what is your disability? I am asking because there are various organisations relating to specific disabilities.

Mupette

pmlindyloo wrote: »

There is a grants search here:

http://www.turn2us.org.uk/grants_search/advanced.aspx

I am sure some more people wll be along with other ideas.

It would help if you could give us a little more information so the search can be targetted.

For example, there are various charities connected to previous occupations - would this be applicable? eg Teachers Benevolent Fund

Also if you don't mind my asking personal questions - I am presuming you use a wheelchair from what you say - what is your disability? I am asking because there are various organisations relating to specific disabilities.

Agree with this,

for example i have MS and there is MS Society that might be able to help me if i went to them. lots of form filling etc,

what ever your disability is, is there a support website to look at to start the ball rolling, a forum that you could ask this?

I have a new build bungalow for the disabled and or elderly which is council owned, brilliant bungalow for my needs, but a builders yard of rubble with rolled out grass in my garden, Occupational health/ council gave me 18 months waiting list for a patio i could use, my husband did it himself because we wanted our wedding do in our garden to keep costs down, but also for me to access the raised beds he had done for me.

because the garden is on a slope he divided the garden in 2, i have the bit by the back door he has the lower bit with a pond.

Would decking be strong enough for a wheelchair etc..