Accessible Housing Matters UK

Season 2 Ep 4 Summary Ruth Hunter is joined by disability inclusion and accessibility consultant Luis Canto E Castro for a powerful and deeply personal conversation about the reality of inaccessible housing in the UK. Living with spinal muscular atrophy, Luis shares firsthand experience of navigating unsuitable homes, inaccessible bathrooms, restrictive care policies, and the challenges of trying...

Season 2 Ep 3 Summary Ruth Hunter is joined by Glyn Hayes, accessible housing advocate and Public Affairs Coordinator at the Spinal Injuries Association. After sustaining a spinal cord injury in 2017, Glyn experienced firsthand just how inaccessible the UK housing system can be, from losing his home and job to being placed in unsuitable temporary accommodation. With lived experience, a background...

Season 2 Ep 2 Summary Ruth Hunter is joined by Suzanne Tate, founder of Studio TO, an award-winning architecture practice with a passion for inclusive design and creating spaces that support human potential. Together they explore why accessibility should never be an afterthought, how discrimination has been designed into our buildings, and why the industry must move beyond tick-box compliance to f...

Summary Ruth Hunter is joined by Lord Richard Best, one of the UK’s most influential voices in housing policy and a long-standing campaigner for Lifetime Homes and inclusive design. Lord Best shares how the Lifetime Homes movement began, why accessibility progress has stalled, and what needs to change now — including making M4(2) the default through Building Regulations and creating trusted Good H...

Season 2 - Ep 1 Summary In this episode of Accessible Housing Matters UK, Ruth kicks off Season 2 with a deep dive into accessible bungalow design with small-scale developer Allan Craigen, founder and director of  1 level Developments.. Allan shares his journey from running a scaffolding business to buying a modest plot of land at auction with the vision of creating a flagship accessible bungalow...

EP - 10 Summary In this episode of Accessible Housing Matters UK, Ruth Hunter is joined by Jack Calveley, a registered building inspector with a passion for ensuring accessibility isn’t just a box-ticking exercise but a lived reality. Together, they unpack Approved Document M4 – the section of UK building regulations that covers accessible and adaptable housing. Jack explains the key differences b...

EP - 10 This special Accessible Homes Week episode of Accessible Housing Matters UK features Ruth in conversation with Christina McGill, Director of Social Impact & External Affairs at Habinteg. Christina has been at the forefront of national campaigns — from For Accessible Homes Week to co-chairing the Home Coalition — making sure accessibility is recognised as an issue that benefits everyone...

EP-9 Summary: In this episode of Accessible Housing Matters UK, Ruth Hunter talks with Georgina Berry and Victoria Malcher from OT33 Occupational Therapy. With decades of experience as housing-specialist OTs, they reveal how their work bridges the gap between clinical assessment and practical housing solutions. From bespoke adaptations to future-proofed design, Georgina and Victoria explain why in...

EP - 8  Summary:  In this episode of Accessible Housing Matters UK, Ruth Hunter talks with Chris Lewis, a cybersecurity expert and smart home advocate. Chris shares his expertise on integrating affordable, privacy-focused smart systems into homes to support vulnerable residents, enhancing accessibility with smart lighting, locks, water safety, and emergency alerts. Chapters: [00:00] Introduction:...

EP-7 Summary In this episode, Ruth Hunter interviews Scott Whitney, founder of All4Inclusion, who shares his personal journey of becoming disabled and the challenges he faces in advocating for accessibility and inclusivity. Scott discusses the importance of community, the struggles of finding accessible housing, and the mental health impacts of his experiences. He emphasises the need for better de...

EP - 6 Summary In this episode, Ruth Hunter speaks with Sandra Bentley, an accessibility advocate with a spinal cord injury, about her journey navigating the Disability Facilities Grant (DFG) to adapt her home. Sandra shares her experiences, challenges, and insights on the importance of autonomy in design, the role of occupational therapists, and the complexities of funding and VAT related to home...

EP - 5 Summary In this episode of Accessible Housing Matters UK, Katy Deacon shares her journey as a chartered engineer and her personal experiences with accessibility challenges due to multiple sclerosis. She discusses the importance of inclusive design in engineering, her efforts to modify her home for accessibility, and the financial and emotional hurdles she faced. Katy also highlights the rol...

EP- 4 Summary In this conversation, Ruth Hunter speaks with Charles Van Berkel, founder of AbleStays, about the importance of accessible holiday accommodation. They discuss the challenges faced in creating inclusive spaces, the financial hurdles in the accessible housing market, and the need for collaboration to improve accessibility in tourism. Charles shares his journey in establishing AbleStays...

Ep - 3 Summary In this episode, Ruth Hunter interviews Laura Wood, co-founder of Invisible Creations, discussing the importance of inclusive design in housing. Laura shares her inspiration from her grandmother's struggles with mobility and how it led to the creation of aesthetically pleasing and functional adaptations for homes. The conversation covers the significance of future-proofing designs,...

Ep - 2 Summary In this conversation, Ruth Hunter and Elaine Hollerhead discuss the importance of accessible housing and universal design. Elaine shares her journey from occupational therapy to interior design, emphasising the need to change perceptions about accessible adaptations. They explore the concept of the 'purple pound' and the financial power of the disabled community, while also addressi...

Ep - 1 Summary In this episode of Accessible Housing Matters UK, host Ruth Hunter introduces the concept of accessible housing and the importance of Disabled Facilities Grants (DFGs). She interviews Paul Smith, director of Foundations, who explains the DFG process, eligibility, and the role of landlords in facilitating adaptations for tenants with disabilities. The conversation also covers the des...

In this short intro episode, host Ruth Hunter shares why this podcast was created, who it’s for, and what you can expect in upcoming episodes. If you're passionate about inclusive design, housing equity, or building a better future for everyone, you're in the right place.