A COMMUNITY occupational therapist gave a helping hand to Nick Knowles and Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen as they carried out a DIY SOS near Evesham.

Jane Trevorrow, who has 10 years’ experience with Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust, helped on an episode of the show which airs during the new series starting Wednesday, February 17.

The episode focusses on adapting the home of Antonia Payne-Cheney, 17, from Eckington, who has not been able to leave hospital for over two years as her home is inappropriate for the complexity of her condition.

Mrs Trevorrow, who has been working with the family since 2014, has a continued input into the specialist equipment that Antonia requires as part of her role as a community occupational therapist.

She helped the production team design and implement environmental changes behind the scenes by providing information, recommending adaptations and equipment, signposting to specialist services, approving plans and creating a wish list to provide Antonia with the chance to be as independent as possible. Although she does not appear on the show, her input was crucial to aid Antonia’s discharge from hospital.

Mrs Trevorrow, said: “I love my job as a community occupational therapist as no two days are the same and I get to help a range of people of different ages with a variety of conditions.

"Working with the DIY SOS production team was a unique, intense experience which although time consuming, proved very satisfying and the end result allowed the patient to come home after over two years in hospital.”

The major adaptations to homes are funded by a Disabled Facilities Grant. Jane also works with the housing department in Wychavon and Care and Repair – a charity that coordinate the grant given for the adaptations to take place.

The adaptations needed for Antonia were so major that the grant did not cover the cost, which led the family to contacting the BBC show, which proved successful.