As one of the UK’s biggest manufacturers of fitted Kitchens, Bedrooms and Bathrooms, Symphony knows what makes a successful kitchen design. Key components of safety, style and flexibility are at the core of the Freedom brand and its accessible design can be used by all ages and abilities, including those with mobility requirements. The Freedom brand is designed in collaboration with the Adam Thomas Consultancy. Adam is an accessible design consultant and industry expert and through 40 years of personal experience and research, his kitchen designs have helped to transform homes throughout the UK.
An example of Adam’s transformative work can be seen in Izzy Hussain’s property in Milton Keynes. In 2015, Izzy had an accident resulting in a spinal injury and is now a full-time wheelchair user. After she spent time recovering in hospital, she moved to a rented bungalow that just wasn’t practical and took away many of her freedoms. The kitchen wasn’t accessible, and she wasn’t able to cook independently. Izzy reverted to using a camping hot plate and an MDF worktop just so she could have the ability to cook for herself. Izzy says “I wanted to have the freedom to cook what I wanted, when I wanted and to fulfil my aspiration to be spontaneous once again, this reflects my personality.”
After a few years of recovery and planning, Izzy bought her own bungalow in 2018 which required a full re-design to become an accessible home to support her now as a wheelchair user. Her occupational therapist, Zoe Paye of OT Healthcare who oversaw the full design process from start to finish gave input and advice about working with builders and introduced her to design consultant Adam Thomas and the retailer Tara Neil Kitchens, whom she worked closely with to create her dream kitchen.
Patrick McGinty at Tara Neil Kitchens says “We are able to offer a tailored service to all our clients to understand their kitchen design aspirations, including those with mobility requirements. It’s about getting to know the client, taking the necessary measurements, and providing solutions that offer safety, style and flexibility working alongside our expert design consultant Adam Thomas. It’s an end-to-end support package including delivery and installation.”
Izzy’s Kitchen Design
Adam Thomas and Tara Neil Kitchens worked with Izzy to design a space that not only reflected her personality but also gave her back her independence. The look and feel of the kitchen were key factors to her design and Izzy chose the Alta kitchen by Symphony in Gloss Pure White with chrome handles for a light, bright and spacious feel. To contrast with the neutral cabinets, the statement worktop is made from Aurora Pink Quartzite and is truly a unique addition to the space.
Accessible Features
There were a few non-negotiable features that Izzy was keen to incorporate into her design. The first being a pantry/tall larder with pull-out drawers at the lower levels which provides lots of space for storing all kinds of dried food and tins and can be accessed quickly and easily. The second was a drinks cabinet as entertaining is a big part of Izzy’s life and allows her to host friends and family with ease. Adam also incorporated essential storage options into the design such as pull down i-move and pan drawers which provide easy access to everyday items, helping Izzy to feel independent in her kitchen once more.
Izzy was keen to incorporate an island into her kitchen space. As such, the team designed a pull-out table that has been installed for additional preparation space and is located directly across from the ovens, doubling up as a place to safely transfer dishes in and out of the oven and over to the island. This feature can also be used as a way to safely transfer pans from the induction hob on the island back over the sink area. Izzy was first introduced to the NEFF hide and slide oven, including heat proof resting shelf whilst on a spinal group on Facebook, Adam also provided guidance on which appliances should be installed.
The whole of the worktop with the hob is at a fixed height lower level and there are no units underneath so that Izzy can position her wheelchair and cook comfortably in this section of the kitchen. She also decided that there was no need to lower the worktop with the sink, there are no units under the sink worktop and most of the washing up will be done with the dishwasher. A slimline NEFF dishwasher was chosen for ease of cleaning crockery and kitchen utensils. Lastly, the Island prep space is on two levels, for all the family to enjoy, which is a real bonus – Izzy can be cooking, and she can entertain her guests at the same time.
Additional features include a hot tap which eliminates the back and forth when filling up a kettle, a well-equipped separate utility room incorporating a sink to wash her dogs as well as a handy pull-out dog treat drawer were a must-have for Izzy.
The project has been a huge success and Izzy felt comfortable dealing with Adam as he was able to provide her with some excellent advice, particularly as he is a wheelchair user himself. Adam says “I am so pleased with the outcome of Izzy’s kitchen project; it has not only given her the independence and freedom she needed but allows her to feel comfortable and safe in her own kitchen. The style reflects her personality, and it is a great example of how much can be achieved with accessible design.”
For further information about Symphony, please visit www.symphony-group.co.uk/brands/freedom
As one of the UK’s biggest manufacturers of fitted Kitchens, Bedrooms and Bathrooms, Symphony knows what makes a successful kitchen design. Key components of safety, style and flexibility are at the core of the Freedom brand and its accessible design can be used by all ages and abilities, including those with mobility requirements. The Freedom brand is designed in collaboration with the Adam Thomas Consultancy. Adam is an accessible design consultant and industry expert and through 40 years of personal experience and research, his kitchen designs have helped to transform homes throughout the UK
The Troke family’s new kitchen was designed by Adam Thomas to be easy to use and long-lasting, with the aim of providing an accessible, streamlined and beautiful kitchen for all members of the family to enjoy. Lucille Troke, aged 12, a wheelchair user since an accident in 2015, lives with her family in a bungalow in Aylesbury. Over the last few years, the property has been extended and renovated to enable Lucille, her younger sister Josephine and their parents, Leonie and Jon to use and enjoy the new kitchen. The Freedom kitchen was installed in October 2021, and the family were able to move in and enjoy their newly refurbished home in November 2021.
Lucille’s parents Leonie and Jon explained the four-year process that started in 2017 with their purchase of the bungalow. The planning application for the transformation of the bungalow to suit Lucille’s needs started in 2018, and the practical planning, designing and budgeting soon followed. Despite pandemic interruptions, building work was able to proceed in March 2021. The Trokes worked with designers Adam Thomas and Pat at Tara Neil Kitchens, the retailer they chose to provide their new family kitchen. The Tara Neil Kitchen team recommended using the Freedom Kitchen from Symphony, and the family’s Occupational Therapist, Zoe Paye of OT Healthcare not only oversaw the whole design process but suggested expert designer Adam Thomas, of the Adam Thomas Consultancy, should be involved too.
The Challenges
The family’s previous kitchen did have a custom-made fixed lowered worktop, which was helpful to Lucille, but it was back-ache inducing for the rest of the family. The old kitchen was too small, with outward opening oven doors which were impractical for Lucille to approach, with the consequence that although Lucille was very enthusiastic about baking and cooking, it was simply impractical, if not dangerous, for her to use the oven. Her parents, Leonie and Jon, didn’t want her interest in cooking, baking and food technology, which she enjoys at school, to be affected by the limitations of the old kitchen. The couple realised that they would need to bring an entirely different approach to the design of the new kitchen.
The Design Solutions
The design of the new kitchen was radically different, with meticulous attention to the detail and practicalities of Lucille’s abilities. The new oven was positioned perpendicular to the work surface. The 90-degree angle to the lowered height work surface makes it easier, and safer, for Lucille to reach into the oven whilst seated in her wheelchair. There are I-Move pull-down units and internal pull-out drawers to make it easier for Lucille to reach into cupboards. When she pulls out a drawer, she can allow it to extend fully and then reach in easily for whatever she needs. The same applies to the crockery and pan drawers – the contents are visible at a glance and Lucille is able to reach things from her chair, as there is plenty of manoeuvring space incorporated into the layout. There are also Le Mans pull-outs in the corner base cabinets, allowing everyone to easily search for anything tucked away at the back!
The work surface arrangements play a huge part in the accessibility of this kitchen – not just for Lucille, but for her parents and younger sister, Josephine, aged 9. There is a standard full-height work surface, a lower height fixed work surface and an electric rise-and-fall work surface that includes the sleek induction hob and a sink. The rise-and-fall work surface has a grooved edge which is an important safety feature – it means that any accidently spilled liquids will pool into the groove, rather than spilling onto Lucille. Naturally, the waterfall-edge styling of the work surface also adds to the sleek and super-stylish look.
The Colours
Leonie oversaw the colour choices, initially drawn towards grey cabinet doors, but quickly changing her mind when she discovered Symphony had introduced the new Urban Indigo colourway to the range. ‘I had always wanted a dark blue kitchen’ she says, ‘so Urban Indigo was the obvious choice’. She had also originally been tempted by all-white for the work surfaces but with the help of the Tara Neil Kitchens team, got a bit more adventurous and decided upon a mix of materials and colours to add contrast to the scheme. The low-level work surface is pale grey, the higher level surfaces a pale quartz mix which is a striking and impactful contrast to the Indigo cabinetry and white walls.
Design Details
- The fixed low-level work surface near the ovens is a great setting down area for hot pans, as well as a baking area for Lucille
- Flip sockets in the rise-and-fall work surface are positioned to be within easy reach for Lucille
- Two sinks – one at a standard height near the dishwasher and the other, a prep sink in the rise-and-fall work surface are convenient for all members of the family
- Recycling and waste bins are integrated into cabinetry and accessible to everyone
- The hot tap is convenient for Lucille to use and keeps the work surface clear
In Lucille’s own words
‘I look forward to using this amazing kitchen every day! My mum has always been really good at baking pastries and cakes and now I can also enjoy cooking at home too – and maybe catch up with her skills! I’m able to use the kitchen and access the ovens without fuss; everything is at the right height and I’m able to put things into the oven and take things out easily. With the help of my OT team, brilliant advice from Adam Thomas, and the technical planning from Adam and Pat at Tara Neil Kitchens, we all now have a fantastic kitchen to enjoy and cook in for many years to come’.
For further information about Symphony, please visit www.symphony-group.co.uk/brands/freedom
Sally is a 26-year-old, full-time wheelchair user with cerebral palsy. She lives with her mum, dad and grandmother. She can weight bare but not stand.
Sally plays wheelchair football for a club called ASPIRE, which is a mixed group of all varying ages and she has been playing since she was 12 years of age. She has won several trophies including the Semi Finals in the 2018 Regional league as well as having the opportunity to play in a Champions League final against Denmark. She really enjoys sports and has a GCSE in Art and PE which led her to take a teaching qualification in helping children with special needs to integrate into the local community from young ages. She has also enjoyed taking part in riding for disabled (RDA).
They purchased a bungalow in 2021 and moved in 2024 due to the time for the court case, plus relocation and Architect/planning stage and then product research selection and installation.
Their OT suggested Adam Thomas who worked closely with Sally and her family to design a kitchen tailored to their requirements. Adam recommended Tara Neil to assist with the door style and colour choices, appliances, accessories and worktop selection.
Sally also helped with other choices for their new family home including the App Control systems to operate lighting, doors, window blinds etc.
The family chose Urban Indigo and Pebble; the indigo colour was selected for the base cabinets and tall units in pebble for a contrasting finish.
Sally has a full-time Personal Assistant / carer to help her with everyday tasks around the home although Sally is able to use some accessible features such as the kitchen area.
Freedom Specific features:
Freedom Adjustable Height Straight Run Worktop
A superb feature allowing Sally, the family, and her carer to adjust the height of the worktop, making food/drink preparation enjoyable for everyone to take part in. Sally particularly enjoys baking chocolate cakes and buns.
Freedom Accessible Reduced Depth Sink & Tap
A great addition for Sally, allowing comfortable seated access beneath the sink thanks to the reduced depth base and front mounted tap allows sally to control water supply using the lever as Sally only has use of her left hand.
NEFF Slide & Hide Oven & Freedom Oven Housings with Heatproof Shelves
The slide and hide door underneath the oven allowing sally to lift baking trays / cooking pots in and out of the oven. Sally particularly benefits from the heatproof shelf directly beneath the oven within the oven housing as it provides an immediate safe place for food taken from the oven, especially as Sally only has use of her left hand.
Freedom iMove Pull Down Baskets / Pull Out Drawers within Larder Units provide Improved Access
The imove pull down baskets mechanism is fitted inside the cupboard and can be accessed via the extended handle allowing sally to be independent in her kitchen area so she can access things higher up / within larder cabinets more easily.
The Wilson family own a farm in Ilminster, Somerset. During the pandemic the Wilson’s considered buying an additional Barn nearby with the idea to convert it to become an accessible holiday home specifically for people with severe disabilities and complex medical needs.
When they came into some money; the family were considering what to do with it and considered a holiday home for themselves however they felt a strong urge to help families living with complex needs / disabilities given they have relatives and friends who care for children with complex needs. Their Sister has cared for boys with Duchennes – a form of muscular dystrophy and their Brother / Brother in law’s child has a brain tumor plus a friend from university had a baby born with complex needs.
Shortly after the pandemic the Wilson family acquired the Barn/land and applied for planning permission. It took 1 year for completion and the holiday home finally opened for bookings on the 1st July 2024.
The barn offers ample space with open plan kitchen / living area and garden, a large downstairs bathroom with bath / showering facilities including hoist equipment and a standard en-suite with showering facilities. The barn also has 4 bedrooms; 3 bedrooms on the ground floor (1 with ceiling track hoist and 2 profiling beds, a master bedroom, and a twin. Further master bedroom on the first floor (with king size bed + single bed) along with upstairs living room area.
The kitchen area is particularly beneficial as it offers families the opportunity to go on holiday and make full use of the kitchen area. How important is food and looking forward to a meal; especially for families with complex needs / limited mobility when it’s not as easy to get out and about or go very far. In this kitchen; everyone can take a turn at preparing a meal making it a truly multi-generational space for all the family.
In order to spec the inside kitchen area and other areas of the accessible barn the Wilson family took it upon themselves to carry out some research online. They came across a few accessible holiday home websites which appeared to have a very high spec of bathroom and kitchen equipment catering for disabled needs:
- Ablestay accessible holiday home in London
- Flat Spaces accessible holiday bungalow, New Forest on the South Coast.
The Wilson’s reached out to Ablestay and Flat Spaces via social media to find out more about these properties and Charles Van Berckel from Ablestay was quick to reply and offered the Wilson’s a tour of Ablestay. The Wilsons were particularly interested to find out where the kitchen was sourced from and Charles explained it was a range called Freedom by Symphony; designed in conjunction with expert designer Adam Thomas, who has 40 years of experience in accessible kitchen design.
The Wilson family made contact with Adam and Symphony and their ideas for the kitchen space were carefully considered and a design quickly followed taking into consideration fundamental design principles to achieve the most inspired space:
Main Kitchen features chosen by the Wilson family:
- Freedom Adjustable Height L-Shape Worktop
A superb feature allowing for wheelchair users, adults/carers, young adults and children (supervised), to adjust the height of the worktop, making food / drink preparation enjoyable for all the family to take part in.
- Freedom Accessible Reduced Depth Sink & Tap
Great for wheelchair users / small adults; allowing comfortable seated access beneath the sink thanks to the reduced depth base, whilst front mounted tap allows control of the water supply without reaching across the sink.
- NEFF Slide & Hide Oven & Freedom Oven Housings with Heatproof Shelves
First seen by the Wilson’s on Channel 4’s “Bake Off” program; the door slides underneath the oven allowing users, including wheelchair users; safe access for lifting baking trays / cooking pots in and out of the oven. The heatproof shelf directly beneath the oven within the oven housing also provides a safe resting place for hot food before transferring to the adjacent worktop.
- Freedom iMove Pull Down Baskets for Improved Access
Provides access to items from higher up, the pull down baskets mechanism is fitted inside the cupboard and can accessed via the extended handle allowing independence in the kitchen area for access to items higher up without having to ask others.
- Freedom Cabinet with Recycle Bin
A really good addition to the kitchen space; it has encouraged holiday makers to recycle their waste into the appropriate compartment making life easier for sorting the rubbish before it is collected by the council.
All enquires for the accessible holiday home are welcome and should email for more information, they are now taking bookings for 2025: info@thebigtinbarn.com
When choosing a new kitchen, as well as the style and design, it’s all about the colour. Selecting the perfect palette for this hub of the home will make the kitchen ease effortlessly into any décor and with a wide range of both trend-leading and enduringly timeless styles and colours to pick from, fitted kitchen specialist Symphony is proud to introduce two new eye-catching colours to its popular Paint to Order collection – Caramel and Willow.
Inspired by nature and connecting inside and outside spaces, the stunning new Caramel and Willow cabinetry colours are ideally suited to both classic and contemporary kitchens and are available on all nine Paint to Order Symphony kitchen ranges.
Caramel is hot on the heels of the recent surge of interest in yellow kitchens. Bringing warmth and lightness to a space with limited natural light, Caramel cabinetry is uplifting and inspiring, perfect for brightening up cooking, mealtimes and the dreaded cleaning up afterwards. This sunny shade is sure to rejuvenate tired cooking and dining spaces and it looks spectacular paired with contrasting colours such as an intense and moody Black, adding a glamorous and sophisticated finish to both modern and traditional interiors.
Symphony is also excited to launch another new Paint to Order colour – Willow. This rich, muted olive shade takes up the enduring trend for green cabinetry and gives it an earthy slant ideal for connecting indoor and outdoor spaces and perfect for kitchens that open up on to the garden as well as bringing the biophilic trend into city living.
These new Paint to Order colours are available on all nine of Symphony’s Paint to Order kitchen collections – New England, Austin, Wexford, Waterford, Princeton, Alta, New York, Ashbourne, Langdale and Linear Avant, with a style to suit all spaces.
Symphony can help with visualising a dream kitchen with its online Kitchen Designer tool. This free interactive design application allows users to see what their Symphony kitchen could look like, from the comfort of their own home. Select from a range of contemporary and classic designs and customise cabinetry with a choice of colours, handles and worksurfaces. Once complete, users can email themselves and their kitchen designer with their choices and begin the exciting journey of planning their ultimate Symphony kitchen.
For further information about Symphony, please visit www.symphony-group.co.uk
At Symphony Group, we are proud to support initiatives that make a real difference in people’s lives. Recently, we had the opportunity to work with the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) to contribute a key feature to their new head office at Grimaldi Building. The RNIB approached us to design and supply a bespoke worktop for a communal coffee area, and we were delighted to offer our support.
About the RNIB and Grimaldi Building
The RNIB is a leading UK charity offering support, advice, and information to over two million people living with sight loss. The organisation’s vital work ranges from practical support and specialist information to campaigning for the rights of blind and partially sighted individuals.
Grimaldi Building, the RNIB’s newly opened head office, is more than just a workspace for employees, it is a hub of innovation and support, designed to empower the visually impaired community. The building provides a welcoming and inclusive environment, where the RNIB can continue its mission to create a world where there are no barriers to people with sight loss.
The purpose of Grimaldi Building is to serve as a central space for collaboration, bringing together staff, volunteers, and visitors in an environment tailored to their needs. Every detail of the building has been carefully considered to enhance accessibility and comfort, ensuring that people with visual impairments can navigate the space independently and confidently.
A Bespoke Surface Designed with Accessibility in Mind
As part of Symphony’s contribution, we provided a bespoke waterfall edge worktop, designed to enhance accessibility in the new communal coffee area of Grimaldi Building. One of the standout features is the contrasting colour edge, with a white surface and a dark grey edge. This contrast allows individuals with visual impairments to easily identify the boundary of the work surface.
The worktop also features a raised lip, which offers a tactile guide for users, helping them feel the edge of the surface and preventing spills from flowing over. This thoughtful design helps make the communal area not only functional but also safer and more user-friendly.
Moreover, the choice of a plain white surface over a patterned or speckled worktop was intentional. For individuals with sight loss, patterns can be confusing, as they might be mistaken for objects placed on the surface. A clean, plain surface allows users to better locate and identify objects, promoting independence.
Symphony’s Commitment to Accessibility
At Symphony, we believe that accessible design should never come at the expense of style or functionality. Our Freedom Kitchens range is designed with inclusivity in mind, offering solutions that meet the needs of people with varying abilities.
Robert Newton, Head of Marketing at Symphony Group, commented on the project, “We are absolutely delighted to support the RNIB in creating an accessible and welcoming space at its new head office. This project is a great example of how we can design solutions that meet the specific needs of individuals, ensuring that everyone, regardless of ability, can enjoy functional and beautiful kitchen spaces.”
A Word from the RNIB
Tricia Smikle, Director of Office of CEO, from the RNIB also commented, “The contrasting edge and tactile features of the worktop provided by Symphony make it easier for people with sight loss to navigate and interact with the space. It’s a great example of how thoughtful design can make everyday tasks more manageable for those with visual impairments.”
Freedom by Symphony: A Kitchen Range Designed for Everyone
Our Freedom Kitchens range is designed with accessibility at its core, offering features such as adjustable worktop heights, easy-to-reach storage solutions, and contrast-rich designs that enhance usability for people with visual impairments.
In the past few years, the kitchen and bathroom retail markets have focussed more and more on sustainability, showing retailers and consumers alike that there are greener, more eco-conscious alternatives available for renovation projects within the home.
Here at Symphony, we want to show that our actions speak louder than words and we’ve already implemented lots of changes in line with our sustainability target concerning packaging specification and minimising single use virgin plastic. Our cabinet legs for instance, are made from 100% recycled materials. These recycled materials are primarily from the motor vehicle industry such as old car and lorry dashboards and other interior parts that have been remanufactured to give them a new lease of life.
Our recently launched Ocean handles are another example. They are made using recycled plastic such as fishing nets from the maritime industry, so you’re not only getting sleek and stylish designs for your cabinets but you’re also choosing a truly sustainable solution that prevents the need for single plastic use. Take a look at our Turin kitchen in Alby Blue below to see how good they look.
But we know that’s not enough. All our timber-based materials are FSC® certified (license code: FSC-C008501) and we only use water-based paints on our Paint to Order ranges. We only use 100% recycled materials for our cardboard packaging too and 0% of our manufacturing waste is sent to landfill.
We’re constantly updating our product and packaging to be better. In 2023 we changed our worktop protection to a new recycled plastic material called ProlexRE®, which is made using 60% recycled content from post-consumer waste. We also use pulp corner protectors on individual doors and panels, saving around 4.5 million plastic corner protectors from being used each year, and our reusable transport blankets have been part of the Symphony model for over 40 years.
When you choose Symphony as your supplier, you can rest assured that all our team are experts in helping you to make a more sustainable choice. We can recommend energy efficient and water-saving appliances, taps and technology for your new kitchen. Our Cam & Dowel manufacturing process means individual panels can be removed so our products can be ‘Repaired, Not Replaced’, saving damaged cabinets from being sent to landfill.
Our Symphony teams are also making an impact on local wildlife and natural spaces too, with our Yorkshire Wildlife Trust (YWT) Wild Workdays. A charity dedicated to conserving, protecting and restoring wildlife and wild places in Yorkshire, the YWT has worked with us on a variety of practical projects including tree planting, meadow management and pond cleaning. We also help YWT with local council initiatives, such as ‘Litter Free Leeds’ where we help clean up our local community.
Changing to more sustainable solutions is part of everyday life now, and here at Symphony we are proud to be a committed member on this journey to making our planet healthier for everyone. Click here to read more about our sustainability initiatives and practices.
Sleek, chic and contemporary, matt kitchens are the latest trend to take the interiors world by storm. Moving away from their high-gloss counterparts, matt finishes are ideal for anyone looking for a low-maintenance, easy to live with kitchen style. With this in mind, Symphony is proud to announce the launch of a brand new handleless matt kitchen collection – Brooklyn. Available in three colours – Matt Indigo, Matt White and Matt Pearl Grey – the new Brooklyn kitchen offers consumers an affordable solution that creates a high-end look for less. Matt kitchens are elegant and understated with a colour consistency that retains its solidity and depth whatever the light, wherever it’s installed and at all times of the day.
Brooklyn features ‘J-pull style handles’, which are integrated into the top edge of the cabinet doors and drawers. These allow for a seamless and streamlined look, providing a comfortable grip for opening and closing while maintaining the sleek aesthetic of a handleless kitchen. In addition, it is possible to incorporate end panels that mimic the J-pull style profile, ideal for use on islands to extend the clean lines and ensure a cohesive design.
“Following insights from industry experts citing the demand for even more trend-led matt kitchen ranges, we are thrilled to announce the launch of Brooklyn.” says Simon Collyns, Marketing and Retail Sales Director of Symphony, “This handleless style is perfect for modern and contemporary spaces or adding a juxtaposition of style to a period home. The three colours we are launching – Matt Indigo, Matt White and Matt Pearl Grey look stunning as a mix and match design or as a single block of colour.”
Symphony can help with visualising a dream kitchen with its online Kitchen Designer tool. This free interactive design application allows users to see what their Symphony kitchen could look like, from the comfort of their own home. Select from a range of contemporary and classic designs and customise cabinetry with a choice of colours, handles and worksurfaces. Once complete, users can email themselves and their kitchen designer with their choices and begin the exciting journey of planning their ultimate Symphony kitchen.
With over 50 years’ experience in the industry, Symphony knows how important it is to operate in a responsible and sustainable way. Fully committed to consistently learning, innovating and implementing its actions to limit its impact on the environment, the Group has successfully met its hybrid fleet target a whole year early with 75% of its fleet now being hybrid vehicles.
Selection of Symphony Group’s Hybrid Car Fleet at its Head Office in Barnsley
In April 2021 Symphony’s fleet funding and management partner JCT600 VLS helped the company successfully launch its new PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle) inclusive choice list. Working in partnership, it was identified that plug-in hybrids would future-proof Symphony’s fleet while also supporting its sustainable agenda with significant carbon savings.
“At JCT600 VLS, we have a really strong partnership with Symphony going back many years,” says Ben Creswick, Managing Director at JCT600 VLS, “and this close working relationship helped to deliver a high quality, seamless and well-received transition. Using Symphony’s existing fleet data, including a detailed review of the different user groups and their operational requirements for the vehicles, VLS presented what the future could look like.
“This included modelling different fuel types, whole life costs and operational logistics, alongside a step-by-step plan on how the transition could work. The results speak for themselves, with over 75% (250 PHEVs) now operating as part of the Symphony fleet. Symphony’s partnership approach and commitment to carbon reduction has been exemplary, and we are proud to have been a part of its leap towards a more sustainable future.”
L-R: George Burtoft, Sustainability Analyst at Symphony, John Dunsford, Group Finance Director at Symphony, Ben Creswick, Managing Director at JCT600 VLS, Kevin Sykes, HR and Fleet Administrator at Symphony, Lindsay Francis, Customer Service Director at JCT600 VLS, and Joel Walls, Key Account Manager at JCT600 VLS
George Burtoft, Sustainability Analyst at Symphony, explains further, “Our fleet funding and management partner JCT600 VLS has supported us on our green agenda to make significant carbon savings through a detailed vehicle requirement review. This included modelling different fuel types, whole-life costs and operational logistics alongside a step-by-step plan on how the transition could work. We are so proud to say that we have met our target of having over 75% hybrid vehicles in the business a year early.”
The UK’s largest privately-owned manufacturer of fitted kitchen, bedroom and bathroom furniture, Symphony is delighted to launch a brand-new design feature now available across a selection of ranges; Pocket Door Sets.
With open-plan living continuing to rise in popularity, this new addition of folding pocket doors offers a great space-saving and aesthetically pleasing solution that suits all types of layouts and lifestyles. Split into a number of zone options – Oven Zone, Utility Zone, Wet Zone, Pantry Zone, Bar Zone and Home Office, it is easy to see how flexible and desirable this functionality will be for many interiors.
Designed to be utilised in a variety of open-plan settings, including kitchens, utilities and home office spaces, the Symphony sets are simple yet highly functional.
Oven Zone
This solution is a must have for small apartment spaces. The oven sits behind a single door while the integrated larder fridge can be set into the cabinet, with a co- ordinating door to get a symmetrical look.
Utility Zone
When it comes to laundry the biggest items in the kitchen are the washing machine or tumble dryer. This solution provides a clever utility area for when laundry is finished; it can be hung to dry/ready for ironing behind the folding doors.
Wet Zone
If space is at a premium, this sink area is a great addition. It can work alongside Oven and Utility areas to create a full run of hidden kitchen zones.
Pantry Zone
A very useful combination is a stylish pantry. Using additional shelving and base cabinets with internal drawers, this combination can free up worktop space in the main kitchen.
Bar Zone
Ideal for those who love to socialise, this zone features additional shelves for storing glasses and other essential bar items, plus a sink and tap area to clean it all away when the party is over.
Home Office
Compatible with the Symphony Urbano Home Office furniture, the new pocket doors can add a design element which allows access to the workspace when required but hide away when not in use, which is ideal for those working from home and want to switch off at the end of a long day.
Symphony Pocket Door Set Handles – available in Aluminium or Black
“We are consistently tracking and forecasting interior trends to see where new features and accessories could be added to our ranges, and Pocket Door Sets is a prime example,” says Simon Collyns, Marketing and Retail Sales Director of Symphony, “With open plan living showing no signs of disappearing, this neat, space-saving solution means that customers can house everything from sinks, appliances and coffee stations, to bars, laundry and computers behind stylish cabinetry without navigating open doors while in use.”
Available now in five on-trend colours across Symphony’s Urban, Linear Form, Linear Icon and Turin ranges, the designs suit a modern, contemporary interior and come in two inset handle options, co-ordinating with Symphony’s grey linen cabinets. Shelves and support bars are also available to create the multiple zone options and can be tailored to each user’s requirements.
For further information about Symphony, please visit www.symphony-group.co.uk
Adam Thomas is an accessible kitchen consultant who has been collaborating with the Symphony Group for a number of years. With over 35 years of accessible kitchen design experience, Adam is the industry’s leading expert, with an unrivalled array of achievements such as a KBB 2020 lifetime achievement award.
We sat down to discuss accessible kitchens with Adam Thomas, and also discussed how he feels about his recent award. We also wanted Adam to answer some of the questions he gets regularly regarding accessible design.
Adam, how do you feel about your lifetime achievement award?
My ambition has always been to change the face of accessible kitchen design, enabling ‘access for all’ by designing flexible kitchens that are inclusive and also look stylish in the home. This award from KBB is a step towards furthering my ambition of making accessible kitchens for all, and I would like to thank Symphony for their and support which I feel led to this award.
How did you originally get into accessible kitchen design?
I was already working for a kitchen company when I was injured in a road traffic accident at the age of 17 and since then I have been spinally injured and a full-time wheelchair user. I hadn’t ever thought about accessible design prior to this, and there wasn’t much in the way of accessible kitchens on the market at the time. This is when I realised that an accessible kitchen design was being treated as a niche market, filled with clinical looking spaces, which I wanted to change. That’s when I started looking into an accessible kitchen offer and how accessible kitchens could be brought into the mainstream market.
What is the most important thing to consider when designing an accessible kitchen?
You have to work closely with the customer during an accessible kitchen design, even more so than a standard kitchen. It is important to watch how they use their existing kitchen if there are any areas or tasks they are struggling with and how space is working for them. I then like to sit at a table and talk this through with the client and propose all the solutions that are available within the Freedom product that can make their experience in the space easier and safer. Once this has been discussed we will start looking at aesthetics, and what their vision for the room looks like, alongside how the accessible features will work within the area.
You have collaborated with Symphony to create the Freedom brand, what do you think makes this collection of accessible kitchens stand out?
Freedom truly is an exceptional collection of products, and I am so proud to have collaborated to create this brand. The collection houses such a wide array of features, that I know from experience encourage independence in the home, making it accessible and safer for all. Furthermore, Symphony has made its best selling ranges available within the brand, meaning that style doesn’t have to be compromised to have an accessible home.
Where do you see accessible kitchen design heading in the future?
I think the kitchen industry is really taking notice of accessible design at the moment, and I think Symphony is leading the way with the Freedom product. Part of my work with Symphony is talking to their retailers, housebuilders and also those that are involved in home adaptations such as occupational therapists. I do this because I believe education is key. Until you talk to someone about accessible design and discuss the limitations a standard kitchen can have, I think it’s difficult to understand the importance of accessible design. I hope that with this educations housebuilders, architects and retail showrooms will all bring accessible kitchen design into their day to day running.
Adam Thomas is offering accessible kitchen training free of charge to occupational therapists, architects and other adaptation professionals hosted at Freedom by Symphony showrooms. If you are interested in the training sessions please contact Freedom@symphony-group.co.uk.
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On Thursday 29th February, we took part in a Wild Work Day with YWT and sent a team of volunteers into Barnsley. Our staff were planting trees at the Oaks Lane site as part of a project lead by Barnsley Council called ‘Branching Out Barnsley’.
‘Branching Out Barnsley’ involves planting native woodland on Barnsley Council owned sites which are currently known as ‘amenity grassland’ and have little value to wildlife or people. YWT want to create spaces which can be enjoyed by locals as well as providing wildlife habitat, capturing carbon, and mitigating the effects of climate change.
- Before
- After
We’d like to say thank you to Lucy from YWT and Amber from Barnsley Council for their help and guidance on the day, and a big thanks to the team of volunteers from Symphony!
We’re looking forward to supporting our local wildlife & wild places again at our next YWT workday.
To follow our progress with YWT, visit our website and social media pages.
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