Stockton-based housing association, North Star Housing Group, has won a Gold Award at the Elderly Accommodation Counsel (EAC) Awards for their extra care scheme Aspen Gardens, in Stockton.
Aspen Gardens, in Hardwick, is one of 300 to have won a top prize out of almost 25,000 retirement housing schemes or developments nationwide.
It was a triple win for North Star; not only did they come away with Gold for Aspen Gardens, they also won Silver for their St Cuthbert Court scheme in Thornaby and Bronze for their Ruskin Court scheme in Stockton.
Allison Alderton, Team Manager of Older Persons Services at North Star, said: “We’re thrilled to have won these awards for three of our independent living schemes. It means that staff, residents and visitors are really happy with the homes we are providing for older people.
“We really care about the people and the communities that we serve, and we work in collaboration with others to create stable, secure, trusting and supportive environments where people feel they belong. We are very proud of all the hard work that goes into keeping these schemes running and these awards are a great recognition of that.”
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.”