Scarborough Family Urges Others to Embrace Disabled Facilities Grant as Home Changes ‘Transform’ Son’s Life

A father from Scarborough has publicly shared the "incredible" transformation of his family home, urging other residents across North Yorkshire who are caring for disabled relatives to apply for essential adaptations through the Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG).

Andrew Roberts spoke of the profound positive impact that the council-funded home modifications have had on his 21-year-old son, Jake, who has cerebral palsy. The adaptations, completed in April 2024, provided Jake with essential space, privacy, and independence as he transitioned into adulthood.

Mr Roberts described the difficulties Jake faced before the alterations, noting that his son struggled with stairs and required more room than was available. The solution was creating a dedicated ground-floor living space.

Reflecting on the change, Mr Roberts offered a full transcription of his experience:

"Jake was actually growing into an adult and he needed more room and he'd  find that he needed more space which wasn't available. There was a kitchen but it's not suitable. It wasn't suitable. Wasn't the space it wasn't safe.

Jake's now got his space. He's got he's got this room. He's safe. He's actually what we call his man cave. He has his bed in here. He can chill out in here. He can play his PlayStation, his music. He can actually come in here and shut the door and just have his own time own space.

It's been Perfect. Absolutely beyond what we actually expected."

Jake’s bespoke ground-floor space includes his bedroom, a lounge area, and a level access shower room, which he affectionately refers to as his “man cave”. This dedicated area has fostered remarkable growth and maturity in Jake over the past eighteen months, according to his father.

"The outcome has been beyond anything we could have expected," Mr Roberts stated, adding that he would "urge other families to take advantage and apply" for the funding available from North Yorkshire Council.

The Disabled Facilities Grant is designed to help people living with long-term disabilities—including physical illness, learning disabilities, or major problems with sight, hearing, speech, or mental health—to make essential changes to their homes, thereby improving their independence, privacy, and wellbeing.

Owen Willis, Principal technical officer at North Yorkshire Council, emphasised the far-reaching benefits of the grant, highlighting how accessibility improvements restore dignity and safety.

Mr Willis said:

"Disabled facilities grants are available to everybody. They need to have a referral from an occupational therapist, but anybody can make an application for a disabled facilities grant.

This one in particular, such a big one, has made such a difference for Jake. It was a big help on his transition from childhood to adult life. He's got his own space now. He's got a safe bathing area. He's got his own bedroom, but he’s also got that space for him to chill and relax and just to to transition into adulthood.

But even the smaller jobs, a stairlift or a wet floor shower can be life-changing for clients. The safety of people not falling downstairs. A bathroom that gives people the the independence and restoration of dignity to be able to bathe every day."

The maximum available grant in England is £30,000, which can cover major home renovations such as extensions or smaller improvements like installing stairlifts, hoists, or level access showers.

Cllr Simon Myers, North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for housing, stressed that the DFG programme focuses on safeguarding individuals rather than just structural work. “It’s not about bricks and mortar, it’s about protecting people’s dignity, independence and wellbeing,” Cllr Myers asserted, noting that the funding is crucial for enabling families to stay together and live safely. He also pointed out that using the funding effectively can reduce the need for more costly interventions, such as residential care or hospital stays.

Eligibility for the grant typically requires a referral from a trained professional, such as an Occupational Therapist. Although the council has adapted more than 2,000 homes across North Yorkshire since 2023, senior councillors acknowledged previous delays in the application and approval process. Following an investigation by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman, the council has since created a "comprehensive action plan" to reduce waiting times and improve service delivery for families in need.

More information on the disabled facilities grant, including information on how to apply, can be found at at https://www.northyorks.gov.uk/dfg