We are very pleased and proud to announce that The College of Occupational Therapists has just awarded bronze status to Regency Kitchens for our continuing support.

Having taken the decision to exhibit at the No Limits show at ExCeL Centre, London, we found we had a very positive response to the products which we showcased – especially the Pressalit rise and fall system and the Chefs Pantry.

Many visitors to the show were amazed to find such products were available – which was part of the main reason we decided to do the show in the first place. An estimated 5000 people, healthcare professionals and the general public alike, passed through the show over the 2 days, many showing very strong interest in Regency Disability Solutions, as we were the only adapted kitchen specialist at the show.

We recently installed a new kitchen for Munchies Cafe, in the department of ‘Inclusive Learning’ at Southwark College. The cafe is run by students in the department, who all suffer from learning disabilities.

In their proposal, they wrote about the problems they were having working with disabled students in their current kitchen:

The main aim of this new enterprise is to establish a well-run and professional catering outlet for Southwark College, run by students from the inclusive learning department. Our Café is a real working environment, which will encourage our students to become more confident, build self esteem, and give them the ability to learn the skills required to eventually find work in the industry, in a safe working environment.

The quote from the company (Regency Kitchens) have included new ovens, and separate hobs, this will help with wheel chair users with independent skills. Extractor fans, which will comply with health and safety regulations, stainless steel sinks and adapted taps, this will enable student’s easier access. We will also be having the dishwasher moved to a more suitable position, and a hand washbasin installed at a height that will enable all students to access it. This again will comply with food safety regulations. After completion of the kitchen, there should also be extra storage space, and new tiling, which will all aid the cleanliness and comply with all food safety regulations.

The kitchen although workable at the moment does not comply with food safety regulations, and does not allow students with wheelchairs access to sinks, ovens or hobs. This in itself does not promote equality, and is hindering students who want to learn more independent skills. We are all hoping the new proposals will go ahead, as all students and staff who are involved with the Café and cooking skills really enjoy the challenge and I personally would like to promote the department and the skills of the students.

We at Regency Kitchens are experts in accessible kitchens, so we knew we’d be able to help them out, and during the last week of the holidays we cleared out their old kitchen and installed their new one.

Julie Irvine was so impressed she just had to put pen to paper, and she sent us this letter:

The department of ‘Inclusive Learning’ is running a ‘City and Guild progression into work’ course, and I am running a small Café to teach students skills, and help them gain work experience in catering. We needed a new kitchen to enable students with disabilities to access all the equipment. This will enable students to train in catering and customer service skills, therefore giving the students the skills they need to possibly join the work force, in the future. After several meetings and discussions with Regency Kitchens and several heads of department, Southwark College had the go ahead for a brand new kitchen.

Regency Kitchens arranged to come into College the last week of term. I had cleared most of the equipment into storage, leaving the old empty cupboards ready to be taken out. The chaps arrived and cleared out the old kitchen into a skip, leaving an empty shell ready for the new equipment. This was to include a rise and fall table, a rise and fall hob and sink and a rise and fall wall cupboard.

Regency Kitchens arranged everything for us, and all the new equipment arrived on time and in pristine condition. The men from Regency worked solidly all week and consulted with me when required throughout the week, as to the actual positioning of certain items (large rise and fall island etc). During the week the work involved: -

• Taking out all the old kitchen cupboards, ovens and sinks, etc
• Arranging the disposal of all the old equipment
• Tiling of all walls
• Installation of large island, wall and floor cupboards, ovens and hobs x 3, sinks x 2, hand washbasin plus all fitments
• Re-location of fridge/ freezer, dishwasher and washing machine.

I was amazed that the installation only took the week, as it is a large area. When everything was in place, the paperwork and instructions for equipment were explained and filled in. The whole process, from start to finish, due to the expertise of Regency Kitchens, was stress free and uncomplicated. I now have the special equipment I need for my students who will be able to progress in the skills of catering, in a safe hygienic and accessible kitchen.

The students are extremely excited about their new kitchen, and are fascinated with the rise and fall wall cupboard, as are the staff! I would be more than happy to recommend Regency Kitchens, as I have found them to be extremely professional experts in their field, who are also efficient in their work, with good customer and aftercare service.

The pictures were taken at southwick college food technology room bermondsey site, there were previously 3 sites doing food tech all with inadequate facilities so it was decided to incorporate specialist inclusive facilities at one purpose built site, we were called in to advise and design a room for both able bodied and wheelchair students which we did according to the head of food tech julie irvine to amazing results, so impressed were they with the finished product she contacted the caterer magazine asking if they would like to run a feature on as she puts it “our new kitchen“, the work was completed in under 2 weeks in july while the college was on holiday, rise and fall base and wall systems were used to make access and use easier for all, side opening ovens and a specialist rise and fall work/ teaching station were just some of the many features used in this facility. the overall effect was both aesthetically pleasing and highly user friendly according to early reports back from the college.

As you can see from this recent picture of a specially designed fitted kitchen for a college, where special consideration was given to wheelchair users - such features as lowered appliances, accessible power points and appliance controls, sinks and worktops at a usable height needn’t compromise the look of your new kitchen design.

To enquire further about having a fitted kitchen installed with your particular disability in mind, please visit our main website - disabledkitchens.org

If you’re kitchen’s looking a little tired or its just not suitable for your needs, then perhaps you should consider getting a make-over, one designed especially for your disability.

Just because the credit crunch continues to dominate the headlines don’t let it stop you investing money into your home. A freshly revamped kitchen can make all the difference to the appeal of a property.

According to the Halifax, over a quarter of people improving their properties choose to upgrade their kitchens.

To find out more or get an instant online quote for your new fitted kitchen - one that’s been designed and installed exclusively with your needs in mind, contact us today or click here to get that instant online quote now.

We’ve just launched our dedicated website resource for our disabled kitchens design and install operations.

We have many years experience of designing bespoke kitchens, specially created with the disabled and wheelchair users in mind.

Whatever your own disability, we can create a kitchen that looks as good as it is functional, including all the specially adapted kitchen appliances from hobs, ovens with sliding doors etc.

Please visit our new site now about disabled kitchens and discover for yourself the possibilities. You’ll find galleries of recent installations as well as all the information you need including a word on finance options.

You can even get an instant online quote for your fitted kitchen.

Some of these things may seem obvious - but others may not so I thought it might be useful to use our new space to talk about some of the features we build in to our adapted kitchen designs. We know from our experience that even some of the smallest details can make a huge difference for, say, wheelchair users of a kitchen, and make the difference between independent living and not.

• Base units without plinths. This allows a wheelchair-user to move about unhindered close to the surfaces.

• A variation in working heights if the kitchen is used by both ambulant and wheelchair users.

• The correct height positioning of shelves and cupboards - goes without saying but imagine sitting in a chair in your kitchen and think what can’t be reached!

• Specially-designed shallow sink bowls.

• Hob and oven controls on the front of appliances rather than the top or back.

• Smooth flooring designed just for the job. How many kitchens have tiled floors with ridges?

• Doors that slide or open sidewards might be easier for some users rather than oven doors that drop down.

• Rise and fall worktops as well as pull-out base units.

These are just a few of the features we can build into your design - but do ask about or mention any special requirements to any of our designers and we’ll probably be able to help.

You can get in touch, and get an instant online quotation if you register your details here

Graham

 

 Regency Kitchens recently completed this complete design and installation of a kitchen, designed specifically for wheelchair users.

The kitchen includes split level worktops, sinks and a range of specially designed appliances, including dish washers and innovative pull-out storage baskets in the floor units.

To see more examples and pictures of this kitchen installation, click here.

If you suffer from a disability and struggle with your present kitchen then why not give us a call and see how we can transform your kitchen with a design tailored to your individual access needs. Click here to visit Regency Kitchens website now.

Welcome to our new website addition - The Kitchen Blog.

Why have we done this?

One of the side-effects of being busy with a hectic day-job like designing and installing great kitchens, is often not having the chance to discuss properly what we do. So we thought a blog might be a very good way to communicate a bit better with existing customers, future customers and staff alike.

We’re pretty sure we’ll think of loads of ways we can use this new section - but please do feel free to hit that comment link down below and add as many more as possible.

There will be a few more additions over the next few days and weeks, so keep checking this section to see what we’re up to.  In between designing and installing kitchens that is of course!