The future is looking much brighter for a courageous youngster after being selected for a free wetroom through the national Impey Cares campaign. Six-year-old Seb Strudwick, from Northamptonshire, was born 14 weeks premature and suffered a brain bleed when he was three days old. He was consequently diagnosed with cerebral palsy and his parents were told that their son was destined to be wheelchair bound for the rest of his life.
As Seb grew, the Strudwick’s semi-detached home lacked many of the essential adaptations needed for a child with mobility problems. The family put in a ramp, widened doorways and created extra space in the bedroom Seb shares with his brother, but the bathroom remained the greatest challenge.

The family had been turned down for a local authority Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) as both parents work. Seb’s Mum, Amy, aged 33, is a part-time sales administrator and Dad Dan, also 33, is a motor engineer.

The family heard about the Impey Cares scheme, which provides free healthcare level access showers to those that have been refused DFG or have been waiting for a long time, through friends and decided to apply. This Autumn Seb was selected as the winning recipient from hundreds of entries from across the UK.

When Stilp Property Services, based in Towcester, heard about Seb’s story, they offered to install the wetroom free of charge using Impey Showers’ products provided through the scheme. Stilp is a family-run business and well-known in the field of mobility adaptions.

Amy Strudwick said: “It was devastating for us not to get the DFG grant but we applied to Impey Cares as we thought we had nothing to lose. We were so thrilled to hear we were being considered and to then find out we had been awarded a safe, specially adapted wet room was fantastic – a huge boost.

“The floor is non-slip and the design means we have loads of space – Seb and Archie can get in together and play. He absolutely loves it.” Seb and his family are now benefitting from a new, full-fitted wet room suite which includes products such as: 1500 x 800 Level-Dec EasyFit, a Mira Select Shower and Maxi Grip hand rails.

Visit www.impeycare.co.uk to make your nomination for an Impey Cares wet room adaptation now.

Follow the Impey Cares campaign online: Send us a tweet @impeycares; ‘Like’ us on Facebook.com/impeycares; and visit www.impeycare.co.uk to watch video interviews with those who have received a wet room adaptation, to nominate someone in need and to sign the Impey Cares Charter.