Bishop’s Stortford husband thanks BoB volunteers for renovation so his wife with dementia can go home after living in a caravan for two years
A retired Bishop’s Stortford builder was overcome with emotion at his first glimpse of the renovations completed by Band of Builders (BoB) volunteers who answered a call for help after the work he was carrying out himself was halted because he was diagnosed with stage four prostate cancer.
The diagnosis torpedoed Mike Shrimpton’s efforts to complete the extensive work required to create a safe ground-floor space for his wife Christine, who has dementia. The couple had been living in a caravan for the past couple of years until BoB stepped in.
After setting foot in his house for the first time for nearly a month, Mike was full of praise for the 60 tradespeople who completed the project in three weeks.
Speaking to the volunteers about the renovation, Mike said: “The hardest thing for me was to admit that I could’t do it and I can’t believe that the people came here to solve someone else’s problem….well, I just can’t find the words to say thank you.
“I’d dug myself into such as hole and I’m so humbled by you all and what you’ve done. It means we can move forward.”
Mike and Christine’s story
The Shrimptons initially had a battle on their hands to get a diagnosis for Christine for what they suspected was early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. They also struggled to get Christine the care she needed. At the same time, her husband, Mike, a builder for more than 40 years, set about making adaptations to their home to make life easier and safer for his wife. The plan was to knock through some of the ground-floor rooms to create a larger open-plan space.
When Mike started the project, he suspected that he had issues with his prostate but didn’t want to face up to the health problem, as he was on a mission. However, in October 2022, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Although he battled on, he recognised that he wasn’t as quick as his younger self. Sadly, around the same time, Christine became unable to recognise Mike. After a series of medical episodes, it was recognised as dementia. Once this was diagnosed and she was medicated, Christine was able to recognise Mike again.
The strain continued to take its toll on Mike, with bouts of breathlessness, fatigue and reduced mobility – and in October 2024, Mike was diagnosed with a serious heart condition, for which he needed a procedure to insert a stent (he requires two more).
Work had ground to a halt on the project and had left their home uninhabitable – but Mike felt under pressure because Christine’s medical team said that if she couldn’t move back into a safe home environment very soon, they ran the risk of her going into residential care.
Project 48 completed by BoB
This is the 48th project carried out by the BoB – which, as well completing practical projects, offers wellbeing support, including a text service (text BOB to 85258), and financial help.
This project involved installing structural steels, completing the first and second fixes on the plumbing and electrics, and installing a new boiler and heating system. The ground floor was insulated and plaster boarded.
A new top-of-the range kitchen was donated by Howdens, the UK’s number one trade kitchen supplier, and installed by award-winning kitchen fitter, Tom Easter.
Externally, the failing flat roof and skylight were replaced, and new patio doors and remedials were needed to the rear of the house.
Joint-Project Leads Kent Taylor and Tracey Healy both took three weeks away from their own businesses to oversee the delivery and completion of this project.
Kent said: “Every project we do, we rise to the challenge and complete projects because of our amazing volunteers, who give their heart and soul to complete projects that are life-changing for the beneficiaries. Mike and Christine no longer have to live in a caravan as they now have a space that they can enjoy and call home.”
The project was sponsored by DEWALT and its Senior Brand Manager for the UK + ROI, Tim Winstanley said: “We’re incredibly proud to stand alongside the Band of Builders family to support this life-changing project. The dedication and compassion shown by every volunteer is truly inspiring. Their generosity in giving their time and skill reflects the very best of our industry, and we’re honoured to be able to play our small part in helping make a real difference together.”
BoB also wishes to thank its supporters and sponsors who provided materials – as well as local businesses that delivered food and refreshments. This includes: Reconomy Trade, Jewson Hire, GR8 Hire, Lee Bros, CT1, Sealants, Edmundson Electrical, Plumb City, Professional Carpets, Carpets, City Plumbing, Okarno, Hancocks Drainage and Building Supplies, SIG roofing, Accuroof, Timco and Travis Perkins.
Now the work is complete, Mike can realise his original vision of having an open-plan ground-floor space that won’t just be a safe haven for Christine but can also be a place where people with early-onset dementia and their loved ones can meet up and share their experiences of living with the condition.