Trust and Aspire open the door to a new start for Brian

Rt Hon John Bercow and Matthew Applegate welcome resident Brian Black to his new home

New resident Brian Black had a house warming with a difference today, as he welcomed guests from the Trust, Aspire, lawyers from Shoosmiths and guest of honour, the Speaker of the House of Commons.

Like Brian’s guest list, his home is rather special, adapted to enable people leaving spinal injury rehabilitation to live independently. From a push-pad shower, to pull-out shelving, Aspire have thought of everything, including the height-adjustable kitchen sink.

Brian Carlin, Matthew Applegate and Rt Hon John Bercow declare the new fully adaptive property open

The Rt Hon John Bercow was there to officially declare the flat open, and welcome Brian as the first resident. The property is the product of a special partnership between the Trust and Aspire, a charity helping people with severe spinal chord injury. Brian Carlin, Aspire’s Chief Executive, thanked those that have enabled this project to go ahead, including Shoosmiths, who support the charity through  fundraising, as well as offering practical help like building furniture. He also told of the importance of adaptive properties like this. For many who find themselves unable to return to their own home, either because they are waiting for adaptations to be installed, or because the property is simply not suitable for someone with accessibility needs, the only other option is a care home.

The Speaker congratulated the two charities, and spoke of his great pride at having such a property on “his patch”. He was full of praise for the Trust, commending the team for their “open-mindedness and commitment” to enabling Aspire to offer this fully-adaptive home, and added he hoped to see more of them within the Vale. Aspire and the Trust are already in talks about the next property.

Brian, paralysed in a motorbike accident in April, said “I’m just so pleased with the flat. Everyone from Aspire and the Trust has been so good, I’ve had so much help. Now, I can’t wait to get back to my job as a Transport Manager, which I will be able to do when my adapted Ford Focus arrives next week”.