Each year, the Elderly Accommodation Counsel (EAC) celebrates successful examples of sheltered housing across the UK.
Trivallis manages 23 sheltered housing schemes throughout Rhondda Cynon Taff, where residents aged 60 years and over live completely independently in their own flats or bungalows but share some communal areas and social activities.
This year, in Wales, over 1,000 residents, visitors, volunteers and staff shared their opinions of the schemes where they live and work with the EAC for its 2019 awards.
Trivallis picked up 11 of the 18 awards available in Wales, including joint gold awards for ‘retirement housing under 25 units’ for Blaengwawr Close in Aberdare and Nebo in Ystrad and a gold award for ‘retirement housing 37-43 units’ for David’s Court in Pontyclun.
Judges feedback on the awards said: “Trivalllis dominates the Retirement Housing category awards… thanks to all their residents, visitors and staff for expressing their views.”
Blaengwawr Close also picked up a Bronze in the National Awards, which took place in Manchester this May.
Merlin Baker lives in one of Trivallis’ sheltered schemes, he said: “A lot of people are under the misconception that sheltered accommodation is like living in an ‘old people’s home’ and we just sit in a lounge drinking tea all day; that couldn’t be further from the truth.
“You’ve got your own independence. There are social groups that go on trips and plan activities like meals out, if you want to get involved in that sort of thing. I feel like I’m living in a community within a community, my flat is ideal for me and I’d recommend sheltered accommodation to anybody.”
As well as the EAC awards, Trivallis has three times received accreditation from the Centre for Housing and Support, confirming that its sheltered housing service meets nationally recognised best practice standards.
21 of Trivallis’ Sheltered Schemes are also accredited with either gold or platinum ‘Visibly Better’ standards by the Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB) In Wales. To obtain these standards, Trivallis must meet criteria focussing on different aspects of accessibility for people with sight loss who live in and visit the schemes.
Rena Karadogan, Head of Care and Support at Trivallis, said: “We’re delighted that people value our sheltered accommodation and to be recognised for the services we provide for older people.”
To see the full list of results, visit: https://eacawards.org.uk/results-2018/wales/
For more information on Trivallis’ Sheltered Housing, visit: https://www.trivallis.co.uk/sheltered-housing