Posted 25.05.2023

Barry housing scheme celebrates platinum award

Tenants at a Barry housing scheme for people aged 55 and over are celebrating major design changes to their home that support people with sight loss.

Arthur Davis Court is the fourth Newydd Housing Association independent living scheme to receive RNIB Cymru’s Visibly Better Platinum Award for the redesign, which enables older people with sight loss to live independently for longer.

The award was celebrated at an event on Thursday 18th May at Arthur Davis Court. Residents enjoyed tea and cake with staff from RNIB Cymru and Newydd, and a commemorative plaque was unveiled. RNIB Cymru Director Ansley Workman presented the award to Oonagh Lyons, Housing and Communities Director at Newydd.

The simple but effective changes to Arthur Davis Court include colour contrasted walls, fixtures and fittings, tactile surfaces on walls and floors, eye-level signage, and sensory clues to help blind and partially sighted people to navigate communal areas. Communal areas now have lighting controlled by movement sensors and window tints to prevent glare, which can impact people with low vision.

Colour contrasted handrails, well-lit walkways, and distinct path and road surfaces ensure that tenants with sight loss can enjoy spending time in the garden without worrying about access and safety.

Trained Newydd tenants undertook the initial audits of the scheme as well as critically assessing the work carried out by contractors M. Delacey & Sons, with support from RNIB Cymru. Throughout the process they ensured the work was up to standard and suitable for fellow tenants.


Cath Kinson, a Newydd tenant who has been part of the Visibly Better project for over 10 years, developed glaucoma and cataracts during lockdown. Since then, she said, she has a deeper understanding of how changes to living spaces can help people with sight loss.

Cath said: “It has been such a rewarding experience. It involved the right people, it came to places where people needed it, and it has had a huge impact on independent living schemes because nobody has ever done it before in Wales.

“It can be really frightening to go somewhere new when you have sight loss, because you don’t know if stairs are going to be dangerous, or what obstacles will be in your way. But because I was part of Visibly Better, I didn’t panic when I lost my sight. I knew that the skills I had learnt and the changes I had helped to put in place would help me. And now I can’t stop myself from pointing out inaccessible design wherever I go!”

Visibly Better is an RNIB Cymru accreditation scheme for older people’s independent living communities and care homes. Staff are supported to improve residents’ independence, mobility and quality of life through simple changes to their living space. The scheme is endorsed by Welsh Government, the Older People’s Commissioner, and Care and Repair.

Oonagh Lyons, Housing and Communities Director at Newydd said, “It’s important to us that our tenants are able to enjoy living independently at Arthur Davis Court for as long as possible. However, we can’t take all the credit for this award, we must recognise the dedication of our Tenant Scheme Assessors. They have worked incredibly hard to ensure that the changes made are not only of benefit to themselves but for their community too.”

David Watkins, RNIB Cymru Visibly Better Co-Ordinator, said:

“We were thrilled to work with Newydd again. It is fantastic to see their ongoing commitment to supporting blind and partially sighted residents. Sight loss should not lead to a loss of independence, and the changes to Arthur Davis Court will be so helpful to current and future tenants.”

To find out more about Visibly Better principles or become a Visibly Better supported housing provider, contact 0141 739 3683 or email VisiblyBetterCymru.Mailbox@rnib.org.uk.

Latest news