Tyson Square communal lounge repair, reconfigure & refurbishment
Tyson Square tenants are very active socially and very passionate about the sheltered scheme.
The lounge and furniture were very dated, tired & uninviting. It was also proving impractical to hold social events for the tenants as they were having to move furniture around the items stored within the room as there was nowhere else to place items.
The decision was made for Kim Ball & Gina Townley who are Independent Living Officers to co-ordinate a refurbishment of the space.
A meeting was arranged with the tenants of Tyson Square where their wishes, needs & opinions were listened too & considered. This resulted in our Assets Team organising the jobs and tasks that were required for this project. This included repair work to the roof, repairing plaster, creating a new ceiling, new lighting inside & out, relocating the kitchen, creating a disabled toilet from the old kitchen space and creating a shelved storeroom from the old toilet space.
Following tenants requests, a comfortable seating area was created which is perfect for the tenants when they have DVD evenings and afternoon tea. This space also allows tenants to relax to enjoy the evening’s entertainment after dining at the main tables.
The furniture was chosen & placed in a design allowing freedom of movement for the elderly & meaning they no longer had to move tables & chairs around. The d©cor was planned to be calming, current & pleasing. New lighter blinds were added to the windows allowing privacy whilst still allowing light in. The storeroom was created & plastic clear boxes were purchased. All items placed inside in relevance allowing tenants to select with ease the items they required. An area was created to allow entertainers to set up and tenants to dance. A new carpet was also selected with the correct pile for elderly tenants and tenants who choose to dance. The kitchen design was dictated more by wall space available but in a bid to increase this space a full wall now replaces an internal window. New units were added along with requested new white goods. Old damaged plaster was replaced & the entire space was repainted.
Kim & Gina efficiently co-ordinated the complete refurbishment which created a brand new space for tenants that is completely unrecognisable from before.
This project has resulted in very, very happy tenants who are delighted with their new space.
The opening was celebrated with tea, coffee & cakes. The team from SLH including Alison Kinnon, the Director of Customers, MK conversions and the tenants all attended.
The tenants immediately set up new events and activities in the refurbished space and have expressed how well the space works for them now.
