A Staffordshire-wide service which is enabling older and disabled people to continue to live in their own homes has won a national award for innovation.
The success of the Revival service, provided by the Staffordshire Housing Group, was recognised at the Home Improvement Agency and Handyperson Awards.
Revival offers a repairs and adaptation service to householders across nine Staffordshire local authority areas.
More than 4,000 people are eligible to receive help from Revival, including older home owners, people on low incomes and disabled people.
Revival has been helping people in North Staffordshire for several years with adaptations such as grab rails, stair lifts and easy access showers. The service was extended to include the whole of Staffordshire in 2014, following a partnership with Staffordshire County Council and all 8 of the District and Borough Councils in the region to reshape the service to help local people be healthier and more independent and feel safer, happier and more supported within their community.
It won the Innovative Approach to Design and Delivery Award at a ceremony held in the House of Lords. The awards recognise excellence in housing support services.
Barry Pitts, Director of Business Development at Staffordshire Housing, said: “Doing what we do in helping the most vulnerable in our society is only achieved through good partnership working.
“This award is a recognition of partnerships in action. Therefore we would like to thank all those we work with, without you we could not help those most in need.”
Awards ceremony host Lord Best said: “These awards are an opportunity to reward the vital contribution that home improvement agencies make to the independence, health, wellbeing and dignity of vulnerable people and their carers.”
Mrs Audrey Baker, 74, from Trinity Fields, Stafford, has received help from Revival and says it has allowed her to continue to live happily in her own home.
Revival initially stepped in to help Audrey’s husband Colin, who has since died. However, they have now been able to install a stairlift and help with a walking aid for Audrey.
“The service is absolutely marvellous. I don’t want to move out of my home and Revival has helped me to continue to live independently,” said Audrey, a former care assistant.
“They first helped us by installing a wet room for my husband and they have been here again to put in a stairlift for me. Revival has also got me a walking frame and an outdoor chair which I use when pegging out my washing.
“The staff are so friendly; I couldn’t wish for better help.”
ENDS
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Notes to Editors:
Based in Stoke on Trent with homes and services throughout Staffordshire and East Cheshire, the Staffordshire Housing Group comprises Staffordshire Housing Association, Arch, Blue Mountain and Revival Home Improvement Agency. The group is dedicated to creating opportunities and changing lives by providing high quality homes and services to a diverse range of people.
Parent company Staffordshire Housing Association owns and manages around 3,000 homes for rent and sale, and also delivers regeneration and housing development.
Revival, the group’s home improvement agency, works with older and vulnerable people to maintain their properties, help them return home from hospital, adapt their homes to suit their health needs and maintain their independence.