Older people’s champion Esther Rantzen CBE and Guardian and Observer columnist Katharine Whitehorn will announce the winners of prestigious awards to celebrate innovation and good practice in housing and support for our ageing population.
The duo will be guest speakers at the inaugural Innovation and Good Practice Awards run by erosh, the national consortium for older people’s housing and support providers.
Facing tough competition, nine finalists have been selected to go through to the awards ceremony in London on Wednesday, March 13, at the Mercers’ Hall thanks to Mercers’ Company kind donation.
All the entries showcase excellent examples of organisations working creatively to overcome the challenges of providing quality housing and support for older people in a testing economic climate.
The finalists are;
Alliance Homes – Life and Soul Project
Clanmil Housing Association – Record, Recall, Relive Project
Helena Partnerships – Magic memories
RCT Homes – Bloomin’ Gardens
RCT Homes – Do IT project
Riverside Housing ECHG – LiveTime
Sentinel Housing Association – Older Persons Awareness Day
Waterloo HA/Age UK Birmingham- Waterloo/Age UK Partnership
Orbit South Housing Association – Intergenerational Project
Rebecca Mollart, erosh director of policy and member of judging panel, said: “All the entries demonstrated that, in spite of the changes and challenges faced by older people’s housing and support providers, there is still the commitment to continuous improvement and positive practice.
“The entries were very varied, reflecting the ways in which providers are working to overcome the challenges of an ageing population, changing needs and reduced funding. The final shortlist highlights excellent work to overcome these hurdles to make sure older people’s housing and support needs are met in the best way.”
Erosh members, trustees and key figures from the older people’s housing and support sector will come together at the prestigious awards event being held at Mercer’s Hall on March 13. The event will see the three top prizes presented to the winning three entries, to be announced on the day.
Prizes for the winning projects are:
- Keepmoat labour and materials up to £2000 for a project of the winner’s choice e.g. gardening or decorating project, library or memory area.
- Two days design work e.g. logo, campaign, brochure or digital communication from leading creative agency Creative Bridge, a marketing, public relations, graphic design and digital agency.
- IT training from Digital Unite for three people on its Quick Start course, a self-study online course to help people take their first steps on the internet
- A voucher donated by Shakespeare’s Solicitors.