Disabled woman couldn't leave Maida Vale flat due to lift fault

Barbara Hainsworth, 64, added the breakdown at the Ada Court sheltered accommodation block in Maida Vale meant her ‘limited’ social life “has become an awful lot more limited”.

Ms Hainsworth, who largely relies on a mobility scooter that will only fit in one of her block's lifts, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) last year: “It feels like we’re just waiting for Godot. We’ve just been left to die.”

During a recent visit to Ada Court by the LDRS, Ms Hainsworth said that during the most recent lift outage, which lasted around two weeks, she had to borrow a smaller electric wheelchair. The LDRS witnessed Ms Hainsworth struggling to operate it, including getting in and out of the smaller lifts.

Barbara in Ada court in west London, Britain 15 April 2024. Facundo Arrizabalaga/MyLondon.

Because of this, she said she had to cancel an emergency MRI appointment, and was unable to meet a friend for coffee. Forced to go to Boots for essential medication, she became stuck outside Ada Court upon her return.

Ada Court is managed by Central and Cecil Housing Trust (C&C). Since the LDRS stopped by, the larger lift has been fixed. A C&C spokesperson said recent projects meant the lift had been heavily used, probably leading to the breakdown.

Ronnie's Story

Ronnie in Ada court in west London, Britain 15 April 2024. Facundo Arrizabalaga/MyLondon.

Ronald Madar, or Ronnie to his friends, 81, has lived at Ada Court for around a year. A trained architect, his CV includes jobs including acting and journalism while living in Hong Kong. He moved to his current home from Golders Green, North London, before which he was based in the US.

Mr Madar, who has very limited vision, has also had issues with the facilities at Ada Court, including being left for five days without access to his bathroom earlier this year while work was carried out. He said he had to use the communal toilet and wash himself in his sink during this period, though conceded the upgrades have left him with a better bathroom.

When the LDRS visited, he was having to vacate his room for several hours while it was fumigated in the latest attempt to rid it of bedbugs.

'I have no company'

Mr Madar said Ada Court as a whole is ‘okay’, but echoed Ms Hainsworth’s feelings of isolation.

“I’m an old man, and basically loneliness is something that hurts an old man, especially when you’re desperately lonely,” he said. “I have no company, no companion of some kind.”

A general view of Ada court in west London, Britain 15 April 2024. Facundo Arrizabalaga/MyLondon.

Ms Hainsworth added there are some classes available, such as Zumba. Given her situation, however, she said these were of little use, and that additional social events should be introduced. “I’m into crafty things. I read a lot. A book club, it wouldn’t cost anybody anything, a craft knit and natter thing. What would it cost? It wouldn’t cost them anything.”

Cllr Gillian Arrindell, lead member for air quality and disability champion at Westminster City Council, told the LDRS it is ‘unacceptable’ that the larger lift was out of action again.

What did C&C say?

A spokesperson for C&C said they are ‘sorry’ to hear of the concerns raised by Ms Hainsworth, and that they are arranging to speak with her about her issues.

On the bedbug infestation, the spokesperson said C&C is working with partner agencies and a local pest control to combat the issue.

They added: “Due to the current bed bug situation a small selection of activities at Ada Court have had to be paused. However, there are still a range of activities on site for residents to take part in including Zumba and singing groups. There are also opportunities for off-site trips which residents can sign up to. These are all regularly communicated to residents by our engagement co-ordinator."