We won Older Persons Housing Scheme award

Two older people’s housing schemes in Staffordshire have won awards at the Elderly Accommodation Counsel (EAC) Awards 2019. Hopkins & Sneyd Almshouses, Rugeley was announced a Gold award winner and Mill Rise, Knutton has won a Bronze Award at this week’s awards. 

Hopkins & Sneyd Almshouses and Mill Rise, managed by Aspire Housing, are two of 300 to have won top prizes out of the almost 25,000 retirement housing schemes or developments nationwide. 

The awards, now in their 8th year, celebrate the best specialist housing for older people, and aim to help shape the future of housing in later life through engaging some 19,000 residents, staff, visitors and volunteers who were all able to vote for their favourite scheme out of the 1,220 nominated between 15 November 2019 and 28 February 2019. 

John Galvin, EAC’s Chief Executive, explained the importance of the awards: "Specialist housing for older people plays an enormously significant role in helping them stay independent for longer. The security, support and great communities have a positive impact on individuals and reduce the need for NHS services.” 

Patricia Roberts, Service Manager – Older Persons at Aspire Housing said: “We’re delighted to have won these two awards.  What’s really special about them is they have been won through nominations from our customers and families who access our services” 

Tony Johnson, resident of Hopkins & Sneyd, echoed Patricia Roberts’ enthusiasm: “I’m so pleased to hear that Hopkins & Sneyd has won this award. This is a wonderful place to live, friendship is the key word and it would in my humble opinion, be very difficult to find a similar place anywhere!”  

The Elderly Accommodation Counsel (EAC) is a national charity that helps older people meet their current of anticipated housing and support needs. Its popular website HousingCare.org is visited each day by some 17,000 people, and profiles all retirement housing schemes and care homes in the UK. 

The EAC Awards are celebrated at The Sheridan Suite, Manchester on 21st May 2019.