Our home improvement agency has its work to support independent living recognised at a national awards ceremony.
Warrington Home Improvement Agency (WHiA) was presented with the Independent Living Trust Award at the National Healthy Housing Awards.
Gerry Kiddle, our Director of Social Value, said: “The recognition of this award is well deserved for the team of caseworkers who work so hard to find the right solution for our clients. Each case is individual, and we get the right solution for every person.”
WHiA was praised for its commitment to delivering excellent solutions on energy efficiency, excess cold issues and flood resilience supported by funding from the charity Gas Safe. The agency was noted for outperforming targets and adopting a client-focused and pragmatic approach to delivering services to vulnerable people.
Gas Safe funding, from energy suppliers as part of their corporate responsibilities, covers gas safety and boiler repairs for older people who are on a low income or are disabled.
Last year, £16k of the funding was spent fixing issues such as no hot water, no heating or condemned appliances for 63 WHiA customers in Warrington.
Gerry said: “Your home is so important to your health and wellbeing and this funding has been a brilliant way for our agency to get support direct to people who need it, with a minimum delay. Using this funding we can get heating back on, ensure that systems are safe to use and ultimately keep people warm.
“We are grateful to have had the fund which has benefitted so many households this year.”
The awards, organised by Foundations, the National Body for Disabled Facilities Grant and Home Improvement Agencies in England, honour pioneering organisations and individuals who support people with disabilities and long-term conditions to continue to live safely at home.
This year the spotlight was on those who work to ensure homes are safe and accessible and have been at the forefront of supporting vulnerable people through the pandemic.
Gerry Kiddle, accompanied by WHiA coordinator Lesley Ellis, caseworkers Janet Sullivan, Georgina Webster and Nicola Isaac, accepted the award from Gordon Lishman, from Gas Safe, during the event at the National Football Museum in Manchester.
