Ruth’s first look at new housing: video transcript

Ruth:

My name’s Ruth. I like to be independent, and now I’m on a project to do what they designed for other people, like from the hospitals, where they’re going to live.

Captions:

Ruth is the design adviser on Affinity Trust’s first new-build housing

Ruth used to live in a long-stay hospital but with the support of Affinity Trust she moved into a home of her own

Now Ruth’s helping design new homes for other people leaving long-stay hospitals

Ruth:

I met the builders, they send me the pictures and the photos of what they’re going to do, what they’re going to do next. They asked me if the plug sockets right, if the right places, or is it too low for them or is it going to be too high. I showed them like, this is wrong, this is not right, and now when it’s all done, I can’t wait to see it all when it’s all finished.

Caption:

Today Ruth is going to see how it all looks

Anthony, Operations Manager, Affinity Trust:

So today is going to be your first time seeing it.

Ruth:

That’s correct.

We’re going to see the building and to see what they’ve done. I’ll be like, ‘Yeah’!  I’ve got everything ready, got everything sorted. The lights on will be OK, won’t it?

In my mind it’s for other people, like from the hospitals. I feel it’s important that they’ll be happy where they are. They’ll feel like more homely and I think where they’re going to live will be helpful for them. I’m so happy that I’ve done it and I can’t wait to see it.

Anthony:

And one, two, three.

Ruth:

Oh, wow!

Anthony:

What do you think to that?

Ruth:

Oh, wicked! That is fantastic. Oh wicked.

Caption:

The housing was funded by a £1m grant from NHS England and £0.5m from Affinity Trust

Ruth:

They’ve got little bushes at the front.  Ooh that’s nice, I like that. How cool is that. I can remember my grandma used to have this like little, little gate.

Anthony:

There we go.

Ruth:

Oh wow. Oh my goodness.  I just love it so much. And it looks different, too, at the top. Oh my goodness, the living room’s amazing. I like tables like that. Oh wow. Oh my goodness. Yeah, that’s how I like it, TV in there.

Caption:

Ruth was involved in decisions about interior design

TV cabinet. Oh my God. Oh wow. There’s a built-in microwave. Yeah. And you can press it, it’s easier. Like a, ovens are quite nice. Oh my goodness. Look at this. Hold on, I’m coming. That is amazing.

Caption:

Ruth used her experience to make sure the design was right

Ruth:

And look – built-in TV. Oh my god. Wardrobe. They’ve got their own garden. They’ve got the main garden. It is massive. I thought it was going to be smaller than I thought but, no, it’s a bit bigger.

Caption:

The housing will be a life-changing opportunity for four people to live in the community

Ruth:

Yeah, I’m so happy they’ve done it perfect. But eventually, when it’s like homely, when they bring all their stuff in, make it look pretty, like pictures up, and I feel happy that they’ve done a fantastic job. It’s your home and it’s your freedom. In the future, I’d like to do it again, I’d like to get involved. I just love it.