Health Minister Phil Hope
recognises achievements of home improvement agencies
Issued by the News
Distribution Service on behalf of Foundations, the national body
for Home Improvement Services
Home improvement agencies - organisations that help older,
disabled and vulnerable people to make repairs and adaptations to
their homes – have celebrated their success in a prestigious
national awards scheme that recognises excellence and innovation
in supporting people to stay living independently in their own homes.
The Foundations Home Improvement Agency Awards ceremony,
sponsored by Stannah Stairlifts, was held in the House of Commons
on Monday 1 March. The ceremony was attended by several senior
Members of Parliament and government ministers, including Care
Services Minister Phil Hope MP, Public Health Minister Gillian
Merron MP (both Department of Health), and Baroness Andrews.
Congratulating the winning home improvement agencies, Phil Hope said:
"People tell us that they want to remain living
independently for longer – adapting homes and using innovations
can help achieve this.
"They can help prevent people from entering residential
care unnecessarily and offer significant savings for taxpayers
too. That is why it is important to recognise the real innovators
in the field and share good practice across the sector through
these awards.
"We will soon set out a blueprint for a new National
Care Service that is fairer, simpler and more affordable for all.
Innovative, personalised services will be a central pillar of the
new system."
Baroness Andrews stressed the importance of home improvement agencies:
"Home improvement agencies remain a lifeline to
thousands of older and vulnerable people, giving them the
practical help they need to stay in their homes. At a time when we
face considerable challenges in responding to an ageing population
home improvement agencies can help to achieve creative and
innovative solutions driven by the needs of their clients."
The awards recognise the key contribution that home improvement
agencies’ housing-related interventions make to improving the
quality of life for vulnerable people and their carers. The
condition and accessibility of housing is essential in enabling
people to receive care at home and also to the health and
wellbeing of statutory and voluntary carers.
Steve Malone, Director of Foundations, the national body for home
improvement agencies, said:
"Most people in our society own their own homes and want
to live independently into old age. Ageing, however, often brings
decreased mobility and increased care needs so that full use and
enjoyment of the home becomes hazardous. Relatively simple housing
interventions such as securing loose stair treads or fitting new
light bulbs can reduce falls, and improving the quality of
people’s homes can have a major impact on health outcomes."
There are approximately 220 home improvement agencies in England,
with over 90% of people having access to one. The good feedback
from agency clients is testimonial to the difference that the
housing-related support has made. Mrs W was full of praise for her
local agency:
"Thank you for all the hard work you put into helping Mr
W and myself to stay in our home. The extension has made a very
big difference to our daily living. Mr W has had numerous help
over the years as his illness progressed. These were difficult
times, without your help we couldn’t manage. The extension is
fabulous, now we can get back to enjoying the life we had."
To find your local home improvement agency, telephone Foundations
on 08458 645210 or visit the website, www.foundations.uk.com
Ends
Notes for editors:
Photographs from the awards ceremony are available on request.
For further information or comment
Contact: Laura Ripper, 08458 645206, lripper@cel.co.uk
Award winners 2009
For a full list of the award winners, visit http://www.foundations.uk.com/page.php?currentpageref=321
What are home improvement agencies?
Home improvement agencies assist vulnerable people to improve,
maintain and adapt their properties so they can continue living
independently in their own homes. The services they offer include:
- advice and advocacy – giving people all the information they
need to make an informed choice
- handyperson services – carrying out odd jobs, small repairs and
adaptations by trusted individuals at reasonable cost
- financial issues - ensuring clients receive appropriate
independent financial advice, and offering practical help, such as
filling out forms, or checking that they are receiving all the
benefits they are entitled to, and
- technical support - providing assurance that repairs will be
undertaken to the client’s satisfaction, within budget and on time.
Home improvement agency clients include older people, people
with disabilities, people on a low income, homeowners and private
sector tenants. Many agencies also provide some services to people
who rent their home from the council or a housing association.
There are approximately 220 home improvement agencies in England,
with over 90% of people having access to one. There is more
information about home improvement agencies on the Foundations
website, www.foundations.uk.com.
How do I find my nearest home improvement
agency?
Visit www.foundations.uk.com
and use the online searchable directory, or telephone Foundations
on 08458 645210.
The 9th Annual Home Improvement Agency Awards is sponsored by
Stannah Stairlifts. Stannah Stairlifts is a British, family run
business that has been making stairlifts since 1975. As the
world’s leading stairlift manufacturer, Stannah has an unmatched
reputation for quality, design and innovation. It produces
stairlifts for all styles of stair, straight, curved or even
outdoor. The range and colour of upholstery available ensures that
Stannah Stairlifts can successfully blend with the décor of any home.
All Stannah Stairlifts are independently tested and approved to
the full BS5776 (1996) accreditation. This is the British Standard
to which all reputable stairlift manufacturers must comply. In
addition, new Stannah Stairlifts come with a comprehensive 2 year
parts and labour guarantee, as well as a complimentary service
visit. As part of Stannah’s thorough after sales service, the
customer service staff are on hand 24 hours a day, 365 days a
year, all working from the nationwide network of service branches
that make Stannah a truly national business with the local touch.
For more information please visit www.stannahstairlifts.co.uk
What is Foundations?
Foundations is the national body for home improvement agencies in
England. Foundations is appointed by Communities and Local
Government to:
- develop the capacity of the home improvement agency sector
- provide advice and support to the sector, government and
commissioners, and
- represent the sector in discussion with government and other stakeholders.
For more information please visit www.foundations.uk.com
What is the Foundations Independent Living
Trust?
The Foundations Independent Living Trust Hardship Fund is
targeted at the most vulnerable homeowners who need urgent small
improvements that current funding streams do not cover.
It helps people who, for the want of small sums of money to
improve or adapt their homes, are either at risk of illness,
accident, and hospital admission, or cannot get home from hospital
or residential care. It pays for building work, essential items,
equipment and services, and is administered by Foundations.
Home improvement agencies in England can apply on behalf of
their clients.
More information about the Foundations Independent Living Trust
is available on the Foundations website, http://www.foundations.uk.com/about_us/foundations_independent_living_trust
Contacts:
NDS Enquiries
Phone: For enquiries please contact the above department
ndsenquiries@coi.gsi.gov.uk