The Objective
When Christine Shrimpton was originally diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease, 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. In the meantime, the couple moved into a neighbouring caravan while Mike started the work, ripping out much of the downstairs area.
Despite then being diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic prostate cancer and
subsequently a serious heart condition, Mike soldiered on. But he has finally admitted that the project is beyond him and reached out for help to Band of Builders – especially as living in a caravan is unsafe and detrimental to the pair’s medical conditions.
The Background
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. When Mike started the project, he suspected that he had issues with his prostate but didn’t want to face up to the health issue, 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 that, although there was underlying dementia, she was in fact suffering from delirium. 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 has ground to a halt on the project and has left their home uninhabitable – but Mike feels under pressure because Christine’s medical team say that if she can’t moveback into a safe home environment very soon, they run the risk of her going into residential care.
The Project
Mike has a vision that the completed open-plan ground-floor space will not only 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. To achieve this, Band of Builders will have to install structural steels, complete the first and second fixes on the plumbing and electrics, and install a new boiler and heating system. Externally, the failing flat roof and skylight will need replacing, and new patio doors and
remedials are needed to the rear of the house. A new kitchen will need to be installed, and the ground floor needs to be insulated and plaster boarded – and the house needs to be generally made habitable and safe.
Get Involved!
To register your interest, please complete the form by clicking HERE, alternatively for more information please email projects@bandofbuilders.org
Key Dates: Work to start in November
Location: Bishop’s Stortford
Trades Required: Electricians, Plumbers/Heating, Engineers, Carpenters, Bricklayers, Dry-liners, Plasterers, Roofers, Paint & Decorators, Steel Workers, Carpet fitters, Multi-Trades, Labourers and Kitchen & Bathroom Fitters.