Preston Care & Repair was presented with the Excellence in Delivering Handyperson Services award by Beverley Hughes MP, Minister for the North West. They won for its excellent work in running a successful handyperson service over the last six years. The handyperson team takes a personal approach to ensure that clients are given time to discuss and understand the options open to them.
Rochdale Home Improvement Agency was presented with the Excellence in Delivering Major Adaptations award by Paul Rowen MP. They won the award for developing a stairlift recycling scheme and introducing equity release products, which has put them at the forefront of major home adaptations delivery.
Anchor Staying Put Sefton was presented with the Strategic Development and Enterprise award by Beverley Hughes MP, Minister for the North West. They won the award for success in sustaining and developing new services. The agency's most recent enterprise has been the provision of a Disability Resource Centre.
The awards ceremony was held at Portcullis House, part of the Palace of Westminster complex in London, on Thursday (26 February 2009). The gala event was attended by several senior Members of Parliament and government ministers.
One year after launching Lifetime Homes, Lifetime Neighbourhoods, the national strategy for housing in an ageing society, Communities Minister Baroness Andrews congratulated them, saying:
"Home improvement agencies have become a lifeline to thousands of older and vulnerable people, giving them the practical help they need to stay in their homes. This year's award winners are pushing the boundaries of excellence and it's great to see their hard work and creativity being rewarded."
The Minister also confirmed a package of support for older people including:
* £4.3m funding for handyperson services for older and vulnerable people in the North West, many of which will be delivered by home improvement agencies, and
* funding of £1m over 2009/2011 for a national FirstStop advice service to help older people, their families and carers access information and support on housing, care, finance and rights.
Baroness Andrews said:
"For many vulnerable people, having someone they can trust to give them advice and practical help is invaluable and this is exactly what FirstStop and the handyperson schemes do."
Steve Malone, Director of Foundations, the national body for home improvement agencies, said:
"2008 was perhaps the most important year for home improvement agencies to date. The publication of Lifetime Homes, Lifetime Neighbourhoods by Communities and Local Government in February 2008 saw HIAs move to the forefront of the government's approach to meeting the challenges and opportunities of an ageing society.
"2009 promises to be an equally important year for the sector with the release of handyperson funding, publication of the government's ageing strategy and further moves towards personalisation in health and social care. The challenge for the sector and Foundations is ensuring that home improvement agencies are an integral part of the government's approach to ageing and reconnecting health, housing and social care."
Beverley Hughes, Minister for the North West said:
"I warmly congratulate Preston Care & Repair on this award and commend them for their hard work in helping maintain quality of life for vulnerable people living in our local communities.
"Home improvement agencies and their partners make an increasingly important contribution to the way we support older people, disabled people and vulnerable people in England.
"As the Minister for the North West I am very proud that our region has been the most successful this year, taking three out of seven awards."
