Personal Story:
Isabella Thornton
MPS IVa • Shared Ownership Homeowner • Independent Living Journey
"Now I'm in secure employment and the flat I had my eyes on from the start!!"
Building a Foundation for Independence
I first moved into my own place through a social housing scheme shortly after finishing college. I was very lucky, as the opportunity came up only a few months after I graduated. I lived there for around four years before making the decision to move away for university.
While studying, I rented a home with a friend who was also disabled, and we shared personal assistants. Living away from home gave me valuable experience and helped me continue building my independence.
After university, I moved back in with my parents temporarily. I knew I wanted to buy a home rather than rent, having had a difficult experience with a landlord while living in Bristol. My plan was to stay at home until I found stable employment and could afford a mortgage.
It took longer than I expected, but I had my eye on a particular new development and was determined to make it happen. When COVID-19 arrived, everything came to a halt. In many ways, though, the delay worked in my favour because it gave me more time to save.
Challenges Along the Way
- Finding suitable housing after university took longer than expected.
- Housing plans were delayed when COVID-19 impacted new developments.
- Changes to housing scheme eligibility meant I was no longer considered a priority applicant.
- Securing an accessible back door required nearly a year of advocacy and approval.
Creating a Home of My Own
Today, I am in secure employment and living in the flat I had hoped to own from the very beginning. It is a shared ownership property, which means I currently own 43% of my home and pay rent on the remaining share. Over time, I have the option to purchase additional shares and eventually own it outright.
Because it is a new-build property, many accessibility features were already included. The doorways are wider, the light switches are lower, and the plug sockets are positioned higher, which meant very few adaptations were needed. One of the first changes I made was having the thermostat lowered, which was completed during the first year.
One of the biggest challenges came when I wanted direct access to my garden. Originally, there was no back door, so the only way to reach the garden was to leave through the front door and walk around to a side gate. It seemed completely impractical, but my housing association repeatedly refused my requests for a back door.
After nearly a year of persistence and with support from an occupational therapist's report demonstrating a medical need, approval was finally granted. Having direct access to my garden has made a huge difference. I have since had the garden landscaped and can now enjoy the space much more easily.
Lessons Learned
- Independence often requires patience and long-term planning.
- Accessible housing features can make a significant difference in daily life.
- Sometimes it is necessary to advocate for the accommodations you need.
- Staying focused on a goal can help overcome unexpected setbacks.
