Adult social care provider National Care Group looked to its residents when developing the look and feel of 18 refurbished flats at its 8 Acres support service in Attleborough, Norfolk.

The works form part of a half a million-pound investment into 8 Acres, which supports 17 vulnerable adults, each with a specialist set of support needs, and involved substantial improvements to the housing facilities and grounds, including new kitchens and bathrooms in most of the flats and a new driveway and fencing.

Supported adults had their say on the redecoration of their bedrooms, with themes, colour choices and flooring options, alongside sensory items, and wall furnishings, tailored to stimulate their development and needs.

Tracey Land, a supported person at the service, said: “I used a paint colour chart to help me choose the colours that I would like to have in my flat and shower room. I chose blue and a pale green because I love the sea, while the brown floor reminds me of the beach. My shower room too was painted in black, yellow and grey to remind me of my favourite insects, bees. I’m really happy that I was allowed to create a place that is perfect and I can call home.”

Another supported person, Peter Reeder, said: “My bedroom colour is a navy blue, which indicates the evening and bedtime to me. My bed is against the window and I often just look out to the stars in the dark blue sky. I feel very content with the choice of colours for my flat.”

Further improvements to the 8 Acres site are planned for next year, with a greenhouse area allowing carers and supported individuals to take part in activities and hobbies. The works form part of a wider rejuvenation of the service, which started with the appointment of 23-year care sector veteran Tara Currie as the registered manager to the site last June.

Currie said: “We’re passionate and dedicated to supporting our young adults to lead rich and fulfilling lives. Having them involved in the design process really made them feel at home in their environment, which, ultimately, alongside the support we provide, is our top priority as adult social care providers.

“Alongside the work that has gone into changing the look and feel of this site, we have also implemented some great new initiatives, such as our family forum, which enables the families of supported adults to play a huge role in shaping and supporting our services. We’re now looking forward to working on our future projects to progress 8 Acres even further over the coming years.”

James Allen, chief executive of National Care Group, said: “Investing in our sites is part of a continual improvement programme at National Care Group to enable the people we support to reach their full potential. The services provided at 8 Acres are testament to this philosophy, building in not just the essentials but a range of sensory and homely improvements that help both the people we support and their team to feel empowered in their surroundings.

“With the further development in the pipeline for next year, this is a site that is only going to continue to improve in its quality of surroundings. It will provide an environment for the people we support to be involved in meaningful activities that enhance their lives and wellbeing.”