Winners of the National Healthy Housing Awards 2021 unveiled

The achievements of council teams, charities and inspirational frontline staff in supporting independent living have been celebrated at the National Healthy Housing Awards 2021.

This year’s awards highlight how those working to ensure homes are safe and accessible have been at the forefront of supporting vulnerable people through the pandemic.

Organised by Foundations, the UK Government-funded national body for home improvement agencies (HIAs), the awards – now in their third year – honour pioneering organisations and individuals who support people with disabilities and long-term conditions to live safely at home.

Judges assessed entries from all over England across ten categories, including categories about the best Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) adaptation service in 2021 and best housing occupational therapist (OT) of the year.

Paul Smith, Director of Foundations, said: “From running hospital discharge services to carrying out vital adaptations, this year’s winners highlight the way in which organisations continue to innovate and strive for improvement in partnership with colleagues across health, housing and social care.

“But what is also striking is the way in which they have proved themselves ideally equipped to help shield some of the most vulnerable people in society from the effects of the pandemic.”

The National Healthy Housing Awards build on the success of the annual HIA Awards, which were organised by Foundations from 2001 to 2018. The new awards, launched in 2019, continue to champion the work of HIAs but also celebrate a wider range of individuals and organisations across England that enable people to live independent lives.

This year’s winners were announced at the National Football Museum in Manchester with the awards sponsored by wet room and adapted bathroom specialist PROCare.

Winner Home Improvement Agency of the Year 2021

Manchester Care & Repair has been crowned Home Improvement Agency of the Year for delivering a range of innovative services with consistently high levels of customer satisfaction and a dynamic approach to supporting discharge from hospital for people experiencing mental ill-health.

Winner DFG Home Adaptation Service of the Year 2021

Lancaster Home Improvement Agency has scooped the title of DFG Home Adaptation Service of the Year for its proactive approach shortening delivery times of DFGs and minor adaptations. The HIA eradicated waiting lists ensuring people get health and wellbeing risks addressed early. It has integrated the delivery of major adaptations, minor adaptations and aids and equipment into one team, placing the client at the centre of the adaptation process.

Winner Housing Occupational Therapist of the Year 2021

Emma Carter won Housing Occupational Therapist of the Year and was described as professional, proactive, and conscientious and an excellent communicator, all of which make her an exceptional ambassador for both occupational therapy and the Dorset Home Improvement Agency.

Winner Social Housing Adaptation Service of the Year 2021

The title of Social Housing Adaptations Service of the Year has gone to Wakefield and District Housing (WDH), which provides accommodation for over one-third of the Wakefield Districts population and goes beyond just contributing to the delivery of adaptations by committing £1 million per year to do so, including major works up to £25,000.

Winner Excellence in Design 2021

Invisible Creations was awarded the Excellence in Design trophy for attractive, dual-purpose home adaptations that support mobility and retain dignity.

Winner Caseworker of the Year 2021

Ravinder Kaur from Care & Repair Leeds has been crowned Caseworker of the Year in recognition of her ability to transform people’s lives, and for her skills in identifying different ways of working for the benefit of her team and for the organisation.

Winner Outstanding Achievement 2021

Recognised for Outstanding Achievement, Sharon Ingram of Spotless Cleaning Services was awarded for providing an outstanding exemplar declutter, clearance and deep cleaning service for vulnerable adults who are self-neglecting their home environment for many reasons.

Winner Contractor of the Year 2021

Martin Greaves won Contractor of the Year for excelling this year during the pandemic. He has continued to complete complex adaptation and repairs projects in record time despite the national challenges of delayed and reduced material supplies.

Winner Handyperson of the Year 2021

Handyperson Prevention Service – Care and Repair – King’s Lynn & West Norfolk Borough Council took the title of Handyperson Service of the Year. It was recognised for providing help to prevent major adaptation needs and avoid hospital admissions, keeping people safe within their home and providing value for money for the authority.

Winner Technical Officer of the Year

Paul Fisher from Rochdale HIA has been named Technical Officer of the Year. Paul showed commitment to ensure a holistic view of a property was taken, not only of the client’s needs and desires but also considering costs, ensuring that the HIA could provide the very best value for money.