New home for disabled West Devon serviceman

A Royal Marine who was paralysed in a tragic accident whilst on a training exercise in Norway is now settling into a specially adapted bungalow thanks to partnership working between West Devon Borough Council, who part-funded the project, West Devon Homes and Social Services.

Dominic Lovett, 22, took possession of the Horrabridge bungalow, which is owned by West Devon Homes, at the end of April.   After a lengthy spell in hospital following the accident, Dominic was staying in a Birmingham care home whilst waiting for an opportunity to move to a more independent style of living.  

Work to the bungalow to suit Dominic’s needs as a tetraplegic included creating an en-suite wet room for an enlarged and specially fitted bedroom, opening up the kitchen/living area, converting the adjoining outhouse into a bedroom for a full time carer, and extending decking to the rear of the property.  

Cllr Diana Moyse, Chair of the Borough Council’s Forward Planning and Housing Committee, said: “We are keen to do all we can to help a service man who was willing to put his life on the line for his country.  We hope the bungalow makes independent life easier and improves Dominic’s quality of life and that he is finding his new home comfortable.”

The project took some months to complete and involved local agencies and Dominic’s family working together to bring Dominic back to the area in which he was brought up and spent his life before following in his father’s footsteps by joining the Royal Marines.   

The adaptations enable a degree of independent living that wasn’t possible for Dominic before his move.  The decked area especially has proved a real success and saw a number of barbecue gatherings during the better weather! 

Dominic says of his new home: “Living independently was one of my personal goals, and a stepping stone towards getting on with the rest of my life.  

“Being back with all my family and friends and having my own home means such a lot.   Even being able to get up when I want to, rather than when it’s my turn makes such a difference.   I can have my own routine.  I feel I can settle down now, and put my plan to train as a counsellor for people with spinal injuries into action.  I’ll also be carrying on helping others through my charity work with the Back Up Trust and Help for Heroes.”