We were delighted to play a small part in a recent DIY SOSproject, which aired a couple of weeks ago to kick off a brand-new series of the much-loved show.
This time, the DIY SOS team travelled to Leicester to transform the family home of eight-year-old Isla,making it more accessible and comfortable for her daily life.
Isla lives with a rare genetic condition called Mandibuloacral Dysplasia, which causes brittle bones andpremature ageing. Despite her challenges, Isla is a ray of sunshine — full of positivity anddetermination to make the most of every day.
Over 160 volunteers joined forces with the DIY SOS crew to bring this ambitious project to life. Thetransformation included everything from major structural work - such as extending the property tocreate more space downstairs - to smaller but equally meaningful touches like lowering lightswitches and door handles to suit Isla's needs.
At StairBox, we were proud to contribute to the project by creating a bespoke staircase solution thatwould work for Isla, and her mum and sister, while still meeting building regulations.
Our National Sales Manager, Richard Gall, led our involvement. The challenge was finding a design thatcombined practicality, safety and style. After much discussion between Richard, our Managing DirectorMike and Sales Manager Andy, inspiration struck from an unexpected source - Richard’s daughter!
Her idea? Dual-height handrails.
Our talented team brought the concept to life, designing and machining a beautiful oak balustradethat works for the whole family and complements the home’s new look perfectly.
The result has been literally life-changing!
Thanks to the lower handrail, Isla can now walk up the stairs independently rather than crawl - a huge steptoward greater mobility and independence.
The project was ambitious and fast-paced with many moving parts. But with so many dedicated tradespeople, suppliersand volunteers involved, Isla and her family now have a beautiful, accessible home that not only supports theirunique needs but is a wonderful space to spend time and make memories in.
Reflecting on the experience, Richard said:
Supporting this amazing cause and project has to be the highlight of my working career. Seeing trades and supplierscome together as they did was truly humbling, and it was an honour to be part of it. A massive thank you toeveryone at StairBox and the wider business for helping change the life of a much-deserving family.
You can watch the full episode on BBC iPlayer, and followIsla's journey on Instagram.
