Introduction
A Newton Mearns family has received a remarkable home transformation through the BBC’s popular DIY SOS programme, with a major renovation designed to make everyday life safer, easier and more accessible.
The special project brought together professional builders, specialist mobility experts, apprentices, suppliers, designers and volunteers to transform the family home for their daughter, Nell, who has mobility needs.
Rather than focusing simply on decoration or cosmetic improvements, the renovation was designed around accessibility. The aim was to create a home where Nell could move around more easily and enjoy greater privacy, comfort and independence.
The project was featured on BBC One in September 2026 and involved a major extension and a range of specialist adaptations. Several companies and educational organisations contributed their expertise, materials and time to help complete the ambitious build.
What Is BBC DIY SOS?
BBC’s DIY SOS is known for helping families who need significant changes to their homes. The programme brings together construction professionals, designers, suppliers, volunteers and members of the local community to complete challenging transformations within tight deadlines.
The Newton Mearns project followed this familiar format but had a particularly important focus: accessibility.
The family home had become increasingly unsuitable for Nell’s mobility requirements. As a result, the renovation needed to go beyond conventional home improvement.
The project required careful consideration of movement, bathroom access, living areas and the practical needs of a wheelchair user.
According to information released by organisations involved in the build, the work included a single-storey wraparound extension and specialist mobility equipment.
Meet the Newton Mearns Family at the Centre of the Transformation
The project centred on the Connolly family in Newton Mearns.
Their daughter Nell has mobility needs, meaning that ordinary activities around the house could present significant challenges.
For many families, a bathroom, bedroom or living room may seem straightforward to access. But for someone with restricted mobility, the design of a home can have a major impact on everyday independence.
One of the key difficulties highlighted by a company involved in the project was access to the toilet and shower.
Before the renovation, Nell depended on her father for some personal care because the existing home environment did not provide the level of accessibility she needed.
The new project therefore had a purpose that went beyond creating a bigger or more modern house.
It was about adapting the home around Nell’s needs.
Why Accessibility Was So Important
Accessible housing can make a major difference to people living with disabilities.
A home that has narrow spaces, unsuitable bathrooms, difficult transfers or limited wheelchair access can turn everyday activities into complicated tasks.
For a young person, this can also affect privacy and independence.
The Newton Mearns project recognised these issues and attempted to address them through a combination of structural changes and specialist equipment.
The transformation was designed to allow Nell to move between important areas of the home with greater ease.
This included improvements related to the bathroom, bedroom and living space.
The project demonstrates an important principle in accessible home design: accessibility is not simply about installing one piece of equipment.
Instead, different parts of a home may need to work together.
A Major Extension Was Built
One of the biggest elements of the DIY SOS project was the construction of a new single-storey wraparound extension.
Robertson Timber Engineering became involved in the project after being approached by the BBC’s DIY SOS team.
The company designed, manufactured, supplied and erected a timber-frame extension for the family home.
The scale of the work was considerable.
Robertson Timber Engineering supplied 22 wall panels and 49 roof trusses, using almost 2,500 metres of timber for the build.
The company also worked with supply-chain partners to help deliver the project within the demanding timeframe.
This was especially important because DIY SOS projects operate under tight construction schedules.
Building a New Space in Just a Few Weeks
Large home extensions normally require extensive planning, coordination and construction time.
For a television transformation project, however, the schedule can be particularly demanding.
Robertson Timber Engineering said its team had only a few weeks to move from concept to construction.
Designers and construction professionals worked closely with the production crew and project architects to make the plan achievable.
Mark Cormack, contracts manager at Robertson Timber Engineering, oversaw the work, while designer Kai Stewart-Sutherland and trainee designer Angelina Wood worked with the production team and architects.
The project required rapid coordination between different parts of the construction team.
Local Tradespeople and Businesses Get Involved
The transformation was not completed by the television production team alone.
A large network of tradespeople, suppliers, volunteers and local organisations contributed to the project.
Several supply-chain partners helped Robertson Timber Engineering with materials, transportation, construction and other services.
Among those involved were Kingdom Timber Engineering, Dyce Carriers, Orchid Sky and HL Plant.
This type of collaboration is one of the defining features of large-scale DIY SOS projects.
A home transformation of this size requires many different skills.
Carpenters, electricians, decorators, builders, designers and accessibility specialists all have different responsibilities.
When those skills are brought together under one project, a major transformation can be completed within a relatively short period.
Glasgow College Apprentices Join the Project
The Newton Mearns renovation also provided an opportunity for students and apprentices to gain practical experience.
Painting and Decorating apprentices from the City of Glasgow College joined the project alongside experienced tradespeople.
Their role included helping decorate the transformed home.
The college said the apprentices worked with professional tradespeople and the DIY SOS team while contributing to the creation of a safe and accessible home for Nell.
For the students, the project offered more than classroom learning.
They were able to work on a real construction site, under a tight deadline and as part of a large team.
The experience also demonstrated how construction and decorating skills can have a direct impact on people’s lives.
Learning Through a Real Construction Project
Working on a major television renovation can be very different from completing a normal college exercise.
The apprentices had to work as part of a wider team and respond to the practical demands of a live building project.
City of Glasgow College said the experience helped students develop confidence, teamwork and problem-solving skills.
For young people considering careers in construction, projects like this can provide valuable exposure to professional working environments.
The involvement of apprentices also highlights the community element of the Newton Mearns transformation.
The project was not simply about building a new extension.
It created an opportunity for experienced professionals to pass knowledge to the next generation.
Specialist Mobility Equipment Was Installed
Structural changes alone would not completely solve the family’s accessibility challenges.
The project also involved specialist mobility equipment.
Stairlifts Scotland said it was asked to help improve the home environment for the young woman at the centre of the project.
Its team assessed the family’s requirements and proposed a bespoke overhead lift system.
The system was designed to help with transfers between different areas.
According to the company, the installation included Likorall 242 overhead lift systems and an Osprey 500 children’s self-propelled shower chair.
A changing unit was also supplied.
These additions were designed to make daily routines easier and provide greater independence.
Improving Bathroom Independence
Bathroom accessibility was one of the most significant issues addressed by the project.
For a person with limited mobility, getting into a shower or transferring between a wheelchair and another surface can require assistance.
An appropriately designed bathroom can reduce some of those difficulties.
The specialist equipment installed during the project was intended to help Nell transfer between her bed, shower chair and changing area.
The company involved said the overhead system could also help her access the living room.
That means the project’s benefits were not limited to personal care.
They extended into ordinary family life.
Giving Nell More Privacy
One of the most important themes of the renovation was independence.
Being able to use a bathroom privately, move around the home and spend time in different rooms can be an important part of everyday life.
For Nell, these changes were particularly significant because her previous home environment meant she depended heavily on family assistance.
The transformation was therefore intended to provide more than physical accessibility.
It was also designed to support dignity and privacy.
These are sometimes overlooked when discussions about accessible housing focus only on ramps, doors and equipment.
A Home Designed Around the Person
One interesting aspect of the Newton Mearns project was its emphasis on designing the environment around Nell rather than expecting her to adapt to an unsuitable home.
This is an important concept in accessible design.
A house should ideally allow residents to use essential spaces safely and comfortably.
That may require wider access routes, specialist bathroom equipment, suitable transfer systems and carefully planned furniture layouts.
In the DIY SOS project, these ideas were combined with a substantial structural extension.
The result was intended to create a home environment better suited to the family’s long-term needs.
The Challenge of Completing the Build Quickly
The project also presented a major logistical challenge.
Construction normally involves multiple stages that can take weeks or months.
DIY SOS transformations operate under much tighter deadlines.
Robertson Timber Engineering said its team worked at pace with Nick Knowles and the wider team to make the project possible.
The company had to manufacture and erect the timber frame quickly while maintaining the requirements of the project.
The use of prefabricated timber-frame components helped the construction team move efficiently.
The company supplied pre-made wall panels and roof trusses before assembling them at the property.
The Importance of Community Support
The Newton Mearns transformation also demonstrated how community support can contribute to a major home renovation.
Projects of this type depend on people being willing to contribute their time, expertise and resources.
Local businesses can provide materials.
Tradespeople can provide labour.
Students can assist with decorating.
Specialist companies can provide accessibility equipment.
Together, these contributions can create a project that would otherwise be extremely difficult for an individual family to complete.
The Role of Nick Knowles and the DIY SOS Team
DIY SOS presenter Nick Knowles has become closely associated with the programme’s large-scale home transformations.
The Newton Mearns project brought the production team together with construction specialists and local contributors.
The television programme documents the journey from the family’s existing home through the construction process to the final reveal.
For viewers, the finished transformation provides an opportunity to see how structural design and specialist equipment can change a home’s functionality.
The project also brings attention to the practical challenges faced by families living with disability.
More Than a Television Makeover
At first glance, a home transformation programme may appear to be about dramatic before-and-after images.
However, the Newton Mearns project illustrates how home design can influence everyday quality of life.
A new room or attractive decoration may improve the appearance of a property.
But accessibility improvements can affect how a person actually uses their home.
For Nell and her family, the changes were designed around movement, personal care and independence.
That makes the project substantially different from a conventional cosmetic renovation.
Why Accessible Homes Matter
The Newton Mearns story also raises broader questions about accessible housing.
People with disabilities can face challenges when homes are not designed for their needs.
Adapting an existing property can sometimes be complicated and expensive.
Structural changes may be required before specialist equipment can be installed.
Bathrooms may need complete redesigns.
Doors and corridors may need modification.
Additional rooms may be necessary to create suitable space.
The DIY SOS project brought many of these elements together in one transformation.
A Showcase of Modern Accessibility Solutions
The project also demonstrates how modern technology and equipment can support independent living.
Overhead lifting systems, specialised shower chairs and accessible bathroom designs can provide practical solutions for people with restricted mobility.
These systems are particularly useful when they are integrated into the home’s overall design.
Rather than treating accessibility equipment as an afterthought, the project incorporated it into the wider renovation.
This approach can help create a home that feels more natural and functional.
The Role of Timber Construction
The extension’s timber frame was another important technical element.
Robertson Timber Engineering supplied thousands of metres of timber for the build, including wall panels and roof trusses.
Timber-frame construction is widely used in residential building because components can be manufactured in controlled conditions and then assembled on site.
For a project with a demanding timetable, efficient construction methods can be particularly valuable.
The Newton Mearns project required the construction team to combine speed with the specific accessibility requirements of the family.
A Chance for Young Tradespeople to Make a Difference
The involvement of City of Glasgow College apprentices gave the project another dimension.
Students were able to see how their professional skills could directly benefit a family.
Decorating may appear to be primarily about appearance, but in a major renovation it is part of creating a finished and welcoming living environment.
The college described the experience as an opportunity for apprentices to develop practical skills while contributing to a project with a meaningful purpose.
For the apprentices involved, the experience could become an important memory during their careers.
The Final Transformation
After the intensive construction and decorating work, the family was able to see the completed home.
The transformation included the new extension, accessible areas and specialist mobility solutions.
The result was intended to provide a more practical environment for Nell and her family.
The most important measure of the renovation, however, is not simply how the property looks.
It is how the family can use it.
A successful accessible home should make everyday activities more manageable and allow its residents to spend more time together without unnecessary barriers.
What the Newton Mearns DIY SOS Project Shows
The project demonstrates several important lessons about accessible home design.
First, accessibility should be considered as part of the home’s overall design rather than added later.
Second, different specialists may need to work together to create a complete solution.
Third, community involvement can make large projects possible within demanding deadlines.
Finally, accessibility is closely connected with independence, privacy and family life.
The Newton Mearns transformation brought these ideas together in one major renovation.
A Lasting Impact for the Family
Television episodes eventually come to an end, but the physical changes made to a home can continue to benefit a family for years.
For Nell, an accessible home can make everyday movement and personal care easier.
For her parents, the changes may also reduce some of the practical difficulties involved in supporting a family member with mobility needs.
Most importantly, the renovation creates a home environment designed around the family’s actual requirements.
That is the lasting value of the project.
Conclusion
The BBC DIY SOS transformation of the Newton Mearns family home was much more than a traditional renovation.
The project brought together construction companies, specialist mobility providers, college apprentices, local businesses, tradespeople and the programme’s production team to create a home designed around accessibility.
A major single-storey wraparound extension was constructed, while specialist equipment was introduced to support movement and personal care. Robertson Timber Engineering supplied 22 wall panels, 49 roof trusses and almost 2,500 metres of timber for the project.
Meanwhile, City of Glasgow College apprentices contributed their decorating skills, gaining valuable experience while helping create a safer and more accessible environment.
Specialist mobility equipment was also installed to help Nell move between important areas of the home and achieve greater independence.
Ultimately, the Newton Mearns DIY SOS project highlights the difference thoughtful home design can make. A house is not simply a collection of rooms; for families living with disability, the way those rooms connect and function can have a profound effect on everyday life.
By combining structural changes, accessibility technology and community support, the project created a home intended to offer Nell and her family greater comfort, privacy and freedom for the future.