When gazing at her tiny new home, Cheri Robbins sees a future for herself, not just a place to comfortably spend her golden years.

The 538-square foot home in her son’s backyard in Essex was designed by Petite Homes to ensure the 73-year-old Robbins, who is battling advancing rheumatoid arthritis, will be able to manoeuvre a wheelchair around comfortably should things come to that.

“The biggest surprise about the home was how it made me feel,” Robbins said. “I feel a sense of security. A sense of being able to afford a home, be mortgage-free.

“I can remain independent, but I’m close to my family if I need help. If I end up needing a wheelchair, I’m not worried now.

“It also looks like a million bucks, but it costs a lot less.”