HIAs triumph at national housing awards
The winners of the national Home Improvement Agency (HIA) and Handyperson Awards have been announced at a ceremony in the House of Lords.
The annual awards, which are organised by Foundations - the national body for Home Improvement Agencies -and sponsored by British Gas and AKW, recognise excellence across a wide range of housing support services.
There are nearly 200 handyperson schemes and home improvement agencies in England. Some are run by councils and housing associations. Others are independent. Most HIAs are not-for-profit and they help homeowners and tenants who are older, disabled or on low incomes to remain independent by repairing or adapting their homes.
This year saw the highest ever number of entries - testament to the variety, quality and creativity of services being delivered by the HIA sector and demonstrating the demand forhousing support provision across the health, care and housing sectors.
Manchester Care & Repair scooped the coveted HIA of the Year Award. Two years ago the agency faced a 60% cut to its local authority funding. Since then ithas secured investmentfrom local CCGs and expanded its services to include a 7-day-a-week hospital discharge service that has supported 1,450 patients. Ealing Council HIA was commended in this category.
The ‘Better Together’ Award was won byLincolnshire HIA for its work in integrating six health, care and housing organisations into a consortium that offers seamless, high quality services ranging from home adaptations to end of life care. Dudley HIA and West Norfolk HIA received commendations.
The award forInnovative Approach to Design and Delivery of HIA Services was given toRevival HIA in Staffordshirewhich reduced costs by 25% when it took over the HIA contract.Revival HIA’s services are designed to help clientsunderstand the full range of housing options, recognising each person’s unique circumstances. Homelife Carlisleand Sunderland HIA were commended.
Handyperson Service of the Year went to Aster Living in Wiltshire. Last year the scheme completed over 4,300 jobsand 98% of its customers rated the service as excellent. Its handyperson technicians are multi-skilled which means fewer visits and lower costs for clients. Yorkshire Housing HIA andPreston Care & Repair received commendations.
A new award category, Home Adaptations, was won byPapworth Trust which operates a centralised ‘hub’ model. Papworth cut the average time for adaptations by 20 weeks and reduced the period for grant approval to less than one day. Ealing Council HIA and Walsall HIA were also commended for their home adaptation activity.
Caseworker Carole Rendall from WE Care & Repair was crowned npower Health Through Warmth Championbecause of her perseverance and sensitivity in finding warm homes funding for clients. She recently secured financial support for a client with mental health issues who needed a new boiler and kept in constant touch to reassure the client about the works.Caseworker Cynthia Hakin at St Vincent’s Homecare & Repair and Becky Bell, Aster Living Care & Repair project manager were also highly commended.
The Unsung Hero accolade went to caseworker Lesley Hedgerat Aster Living who has built strong links with voluntary groups who refer clients to her for support. Lesley often gives talks at GP surgeries and lunch clubs and she never gives up on a client, exploring every avenue to find funding. Danielle Robbins, caseworker at Spire Homes;Ted Wainhouse, service manager at Guildford HIA and John Simcox, branch manager at Mears Shropshire received commendations for their excellent work.
The Home Improvement Agency (HIA) and Handyperson Awards ceremony, which took place on 15 June at the House of Lords, washosted by social housing leader Lord Best. It was attended by senior representatives from the housing and health sectors including Baroness Kay Andrews, housing minister Brandon Lewis, Care & Repair England CEO Sue Adams, Domini Gunn of CIH and Carl Petrokofsky from Public Health England.
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. One of the most popular categories this year was the ‘Better Together’ integration award which shows how hard HIAs are working to join up housing, health and care and develop integrated community services that reduce pressure on NHS and local authority budgets.”
Stuart Margerrison from British Gas said: “The winning projects all offer help to people when and where they need it most. I would like to congratulate all the winners for their hard work to help people stay independent and healthy in their own homes.”
Media enquiries: Media enquiries: Angela Pantiru M: 07525 903 172 E:
For more information about home improvement agencies call Foundations on 0845 864 5210 or visit the website
NOTES FOR EDITORS:
Home Improvement Agency and Handyperson Award Winners 2015:
HIA of the year
Winner: Manchester Care & Repair
Commended: Ealing Council HIA
The ‘Better Together’ Award
Winner : Lincolnshire HIA
Commended: Dudley HIA
Commended: West Norfolk HIA
Innovative approach to design and delivery of HIA services
Winner: Revival HIA
Commended: Homelife Carlisle
Commended: Sunderland HIA
Handyperson Service of the Year
Winner: Aster Living
Commended: Yorkshire Housing HIA
Commended: Preston C&R
Home Adaptations
Winner: Papworth Trust
Commended: Ealing Council HIA
Commended: Walsall
npower Health Through Warmth Champion
Winner: Carole Rendall, WE Care & Repair
Commended: Cynthia Hakin, St Vincent’s Homecare & Repair
Commended: Becky Bell, Aster Living
Unsung Hero
Winner: Lesley Hedger, Aster Living
Commended: Danielle Robbins, Spire Homes
Commended: Ted Wainhouse, Guildford HIA
Commended: John Simcox, Mears Shropshire
What is Foundations?
Foundations is the national body for home improvement agencies and handyperson services. Home Improvement Agencies (HIAs) are local organisations around the country that help vulnerable homeowners and tenants to maintain and adapt their homes. Foundations provides support to the home improvement agency sector through:
- developing and expanding home improvement agency services
- providing advice, training and support to home improvement agency staff
- representing the sector in discussions with government and other stakeholders
What are Home Improvement Agencies (HIAs)?
- Home improvement and handyperson service providers are local organisations dedicated to helping older people, people with disabilities, and vulnerable people to live in safety and with dignity in their own homes.
- Services are focused on ensuring that existing housing is fit for purpose and that vulnerable people, predominantly homeowners, are able to continue living independently for as long as possible.
- There are nearly 200 home improvement and handyperson service providers in England, covering over 80% of local authorities.
- HIA services are operated by a broad cross-section of organisations, including housing associations, local authorities, and a number who have been independent charities for some time.
- Together home improvement and handyperson services engage with over 250,000 people every year.
How can I find my nearest Home Improvement Agency (HIA)?
Visit and use the searchable directory, or phone Foundations on 0845 864 5210.