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Our senior sales specialists work on hundreds of projects across the UK supplying everything from innovative property developments to one-of-a-kind self builds. Something they’re particularly passionate about is advocating for more accessibility within construction. Northern Sales Manager Donna Jones led on one such recent project, supporting an accessible holiday home created by one very inspiring family.
No matter how many years go by, we'll never forget a project as important as this. Our customer Gillian's deeply moving story is best told in her own words. We'll let her take it from here.
Gillian says: "I have three sons, Max was born fit and well but Sam had a stroke and has autism and learning difficulties. My middle son Thomas died aged 21 in 2017. Me and my husband Russell cared for him 24/7. He was the heart of our family but needed so much care that taking a holiday was a logistical nightmare.
I was originally a District Nursing Sister but gave it up to look after the boys. When Thomas died I became a professional Access Consultant. This means I help tourism businesses better serve disabled guests, training them how to give a warm welcome and provide truly accessible accommodation.
Because of this, I was inspired to renovate and extend a 4-bed detached bungalow in Chesterfield, transforming it into a 'best practice' example of accessible holiday accommodation. My plan is to create an Accommodation Accessibility Champion Programme and provide disabled people with a stress-free holiday option in Derbyshire. Ultimately, I have always wanted to create a holiday property that our family would have loved to visit with Thomas."
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Our Northern Sales Manager Donna Jones first heard about Gillian and Russell through a professional contact in the build trade who told Gillian and Russell to reach out to her. She was touched by the story and felt she could help simplify this key part of the build; adding value by introducing thoughtful details inspired by Gillian's research and recommendations.
Gillian required ten oak doors overall and loved both the Climadoor Mexicano Oak doors and Climadoor cottage style doors. In particular, she needed an accessible bedroom sliding door to maximise the opening for guests and black door handles. These would need to be easy to operate lever handles for those with poor dexterity and black for good visual contrast for people with sight impairment.
It was also important to ensure a consistent look and high quality finish with the same style of door throughout the property. That included every room from the bathroom and living spaces to the bedrooms. The oak tones perfectly complemented the Derbyshire stone facade of the building exterior. Calming yet contemporary.
It's brilliant to see our industry come together at a moment like this. It was a very swift process from the moment Donna first heard Gillian's story to final installation. Delivery and fitting went smoothly, Gillian has said how "wonderful" the doors look and has also mentioned how she felt "looked after" throughout the process.
Donna says: "I was honoured to support Gillian's project. She's an inspiration within the accessible accommodation community. Her guidance is valued by organisations such as VisitEngland and her expertise has helped thousands of holidaymakers over the years. We were moved to play a small part in honouring Thomas' memory with a beautiful property that will allow so many people to make magical holiday memories in Derbyshire where our HQ is also based."
Support Gillian's mission by booking a stay at Havendale via Sykes. You may also be interested in our projects for other causes such as DIY SOS and the Safe and Sound Group in our home city of Derby. We're all about championing what matters.
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