Project

Reestablish is a small grassroots South Leeds charity committed to the development and nurturing of people’s social, mental, emotional, physical and spiritual needs. It runs regular activities, such as youth clubs, mentoring, trips, creative sessions, cooking classes, facilitates dance sessions and offers community support in its community spaces, its newest space, The Loft, located on the upper level of a warehouse building in Leeds. The charity required a wheelchair platform lift solution from Level Access Lifts to overcome three curved flights of stairs leading up to its premises, enabling it to provide a fully inclusive environment.

Challenges

Supported by funding from Knight Frank through its Limitless Programme, members of the Reestablish team approached several other disability platform lift providers, who were unable to find a solution. The narrow configuration of the curved staircase, with 22 steps and two landings featuring tight bends, was proving problematic for installing a platform lift, and a vertical platform lift was too expensive.

Access Solution

Reestablish approached Level Access Lifts, who suggested their GTLE platform stair lift, with a load capacity of 300kg and suitable for both curved and straight staircases. The compact design of this inclined stair lift allows it to navigate narrow, tight spaces and features a space-saving folding platform.

A site survey then revealed that pushing the dividing wall back by 20cm at the first corner of the staircase would enable Level Access Lifts to install its curved GTLE platform stair lift wheelchair access solution. The only other alteration needed was installing a main electrical socket at the bottom of the stairs.

Level Access Lifts proceeded with the installation of the platform stair lift, which was wall-mounted, without any further structural changes.

Results

Level Access Lifts installed the curved incline GTLE platform stair lift successfully and within budget. It easily travels up and down the 22 steps (a total floor-to-floor travel height of 4017mm) and navigates around the two sharp bends on the first and second landings.

Reestablish can now expand its reach and welcome people of all ages who use wheelchairs, making everyone feel comfortable, safe, and valued. The charity can also promote its community space and activities as fully accessible, demonstrating its commitment to inclusivity. This development has resulted in diverse organisations hiring the space, including dance group Dazl, who have four people in wheelchairs.

Reestablish is full of praise for the high level of service provided by Level Access Lifts and the functionality of the GTLE Platform stair lift. Being fully accessible has helped them achieve their long-term vision of transforming a small room in the community space into a salon where people of all mental and physical abilities can upskill.