ERoSH would like to congratulate the nine members who scooped prestigious National Housing for Older People Awards.
Thousands of older residents of from across the UK named their top retirement and sheltered housing schemes at the awards ceremony, which saw ten ERoSH members take home awards.
The 2011 National Housing for Older People Awards, run by Elderly Accommodation Counsel (EAC), recognise specialist housing schemes which are the best in their field. The awards were launched in 2010 to showcase the range of retirement living options available in the UK.
ERoSH members Central and Cecil, Connect Housing Association, Riverside, Sanctuary Housing, Springboard Housing Association, Apex Housing Association, Accent Foundation, Midland Heart and Hanover Housing took home gold, silver and bronze awards between them.
Gold winners of the 12 categories were nominated by more than 3,500 residents from across the UK, a 64 per cent increase on entries since last year. Using a deck of cards designed to stimulate discussions and capture satisfaction ratings, residents scored schemes on design, services and well-being.
A total of 34 schemes were crowned bronze, silver or gold medallists at the special event held at Ascot Racecourse. The categories range from best housing with care by size through to best UK rural retirement housing scheme. Nearly 200 residents attended and celebrated the venue’s tradition with a best hat competition.
The winners came from all over the UK. ERoSH member Sanctuary Housing’s Gresley Road scheme at Doncaster scooped the Best Digital Inclusion in Retirement Housing award after securing £10,000 from the national Get Digital Programme. Ray Cullingworth, a resident at the scheme, said: “We’ve been learning all the basics of computers, as well as things like Facebook at weekly classes – it’s wonderful. It’s so heart warming to see 70- and 80-year old pensioners coming out of their homes every day to connect with family and friends. We’ve even been linking up with local schools and the children have been coming in to work with us too.
“We’re delighted to win the gold award. It’s been an absolutely brilliant day out.”
Another gold winner was Wrekin Housing Trust’s scheme Ridgway in Shropshire which claimed the Best Rural Retirement Housing Scheme award. Clive Dann, resident, aged 68, said: “I’m the newest resident at the scheme but we have so many activities, from bingo to cabaret, that I’ve never felt isolated. Because we’re in a little village there’s a strong community spirit and some residents have lived here all their lives. One resident has lived here for 23 years – that shows just how good it is!”
Opened by John Galvin, Chief Executive of EAC with guest speaker BBC News anchorman, Nicholas Owen, the awards were attended by more than 350 guests.
John Galvin said: “We are delighted to be able to celebrate with such a wide range of winners and thank every resident who took part in the nomination process and made this day possible. These awards not only recognise excellent standards in retirement housing, but are about involving older people in shaping its future, starting with those who live in it.
“We are committed to ensuring that older people, families and their carers have access to the best possible information and the awards are one way in which we achieve this.”
The awards are supported by the Housing Learning and Improvement Network of the Department of Health’s Putting People First Programme. The Nationwide Building Society and Legal & General were, for the second year, its core sponsors.
Go back