The Big Build - Bolton

Tonight the DIY SOS team and interior designer Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen head to Bolton to help the Taylor-Mann family - custody officer Martin, full-time carer Heather, their nine-year-old son William, who has very severe autism, and daughters Scarlett (8) and Penelope (1).

The nature and severity of William's condition means he is hypersensitive to noise, and being in close proximity to his siblings is often too much for him to bear. William is unable to talk and cannot communicate his distress by any other means than crying. He finds sleeping extremely difficult and is often awake through the night, which is impacting his sisters, as he continually disturbs them. William’s severe condition also means he is not aware of danger: he will attempt to climb through the upstairs windows or turn the taps on in the upstairs bathroom causing the house to flood. He cannot be left unsupervised upstairs, both for his own safety and to avoid further damage to the house.

Martin started the process of making a third bedroom upstairs so that Scarlett and Penelope would not have to share a bedroom with him, but financial constraints and job commitments have stopped him from making any more progress. This means that William has to share a bedroom with eldest daughter Scarlett, with Penelope in with Martin and Heather. William is simply desperate for a space of his own that is quiet and calming.

The family’s current house is unfit for purpose and a massive strain on their lives, so DIY SOS invites kind volunteers and generous companies to step up and help this family in need.