Help Us Get Steve Home

We never imagined we would find ourselves in this position, but today we are asking for help because we have completely run out of options.

My father-in-law, Steve, is a vulnerable adult living with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. His home should be the one place where he feels safe, secure and surrounded by familiar memories. Sadly, that has been taken away from him.

Steve paid over £13,000 of his life savings to someone who agreed to carry out extensive renovation work on his home. Months later, despite countless promises that the work would be completed, all of it remains unfinished.

We gave every opportunity for the situation to be put right. We tried to resolve everything privately and patiently, but after months of broken promises, missed deadlines and unfinished work, we have now been left with no choice but to pursue the matter through the appropriate legal channels.

On the advice of a solicitor, we are unable to publicly name the individual involved at this stage while legal proceedings are ongoing. However, we will be attaching photographs showing the current state of Steve’s home and the progress that has been made. We hope these images help explain why we have been forced to ask for help.

Although we are limited in what we can say publicly while legal proceedings are ongoing, this has left our family completely devastated. Throughout this ordeal, we experienced repeated broken promises, excuses, poor communication and conduct that left us feeling powerless. We placed our trust in someone to help make Steve’s home safe, only to be left facing months of uncertainty, emotional distress and significant financial hardship.

The heartbreaking reality is that Steve’s home is not yet in a functioning state for him to return to.

The kitchen is largely completed, which we are grateful for which someone else had done, but it still requires essential finishing work, including lighting, flooring and appliances or fixtures being properly wired in. The bathroom, however, remains completely unfinished and is only a shell. We have an entire brand-new bathroom sitting in boxes in the middle of the lounge waiting to be fitted, alongside other outstanding work throughout the property. Until these essential renovations are completed, Steve cannot safely move back into the home he loves.

For someone living with dementia, routine and familiar surroundings are everything. Every day Steve is unable to return home causes further confusion, anxiety and distress. Watching someone you love lose that sense of familiarity is absolutely heartbreaking.

One of the hardest parts of this ordeal has been discovering that, despite everything that has happened, the police have advised that they are unable to intervene because the dispute is currently being treated as a civil matter. This means our only option is to pursue the issue through the civil courts and other appropriate legal channels. Unfortunately, recovering the money if any which Steve has already paid could take many months, or even longer, and we simply cannot afford to wait that long before making Steve’s home safe enough for him to return.

The impact on our family has been enormous. I gave up my job to look after Steve full time, and my husband and I are now trying to manage everything on just one full-time wage coming in. I may receive carers allowance, but it is not a lot and does very little to ease the financial pressure. Instead of being able to focus solely on caring for Steve, we have found ourselves dealing with endless stress, uncertainty and money worries. It has been emotionally exhausting and, at times, completely overwhelming.

Our only wish is to put this behind us, complete Steve’s home and allow him to return to the familiar surroundings where he feels safest. We will continue to pursue the matter through the proper legal channels, but that process takes time and sadly, Steve doesn’t have the luxury of waiting while his home remains unfit to live in.

Every penny raised will go directly towards completing the outstanding renovation work so that Steve’s home is safe, functional and suitable for his needs. Any money recovered through the legal process or civil courts will be donated to a dementia charity, so that it can help other families affected by dementia in the future. Right now, however, our priority is simply getting Steve back into his own home as quickly as possible.

If you are able to donate, no matter how small, we will be forever grateful. Every pound brings Steve one step closer to returning home.

If you’re unable to donate, please consider sharing our fundraiser. Even a single share could reach someone who is able to help, and that alone could make an enormous difference.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for taking the time to read our story. Your kindness, compassion and generosity mean more to our family than words could ever express.

We simply want Steve home, where he belongs.

Thank you.

Sean & Family x