A man with cerebral palsy, based in Farnborough, Hampshire, says government funding for home adaptations is essential in enabling people to stay active in work and their communities.

41-year-old Neil Wallace lives in a fully accessible bungalow with his cat, Rocky. He says that living at home is vital for his independence and has enabled him to continue his volunteer work at Heathrow airport, campaigning for hotels to receive and install ceiling hoists to make transfers for people living with disabilities easier.

Neil said: “Being cared for at home is vital for my wellbeing. I have a big garden and recently I have built a new office where I can continue with my campaigning work.”

Neil receives around the clock care from live-in care provider The Good Care Group and was able to access a fully adapted home with partial support from the government through Rushmoor Borough Council.

Research commissioned by The Good Care Group in collaboration with OnePoll found that 58 percent of people in England said they would be devastated if they had to move out of their home. Worryingly, over one in three people said they believe moving into a care home becomes an inevitability when you get older.

Currently, the UK Government provides up to £30,000 to support people to make adaptations to their homes, as part of the Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG). These are supposed to be available within a few months.

However, according to Age UK, in 2024, two thirds of local authorities took longer than the recommended six months to deliver an adaptation through the grant, with the longest taking more than 24 months.

The funding amount is also currently under review by the government, with campaigners arguing the upper limit for claims in England has not been raised since 2008, with a pledge to increase it in 2021 also being shelved by the last government.

Neil continued: “The entire house is accessible for me. I have ramps made to perfectly fit my wheelchair size. The entrance door can open remotely and really makes a huge difference to my daily life, allowing easier movement and independence.

“Access to adequate funding for home adaptations is absolutely essential as many homes are not designed for individuals with disabilities.

“This includes funding for wider doorways, ramps, and accessible showers. Having all the equipment needed can transform a house into a home that meets people’s specific needs. It is also essential in allowing people to continue working if they need to.’

Jonathan Byrd, Managing Director of The Good Care Group, added: “It’s vital that the government prioritises scaling up its support for people to stay within their homes for longer, ensuring people with disabilities have the adaptations they need to thrive.

“This is not only crucial for people’s wellbeing and health but will also enable people to continue contributing to society in a way that is meaningful to them.”