Ref:PRSH282                                                                                Date: 5^thNovember 2019

Good neighbour award for kind-hearted Avis

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Caring for elderly neighbours who need a little extra help around the home has earned Stafford and Rural Homes (SARH) customer Avis Williams a special award from the housing association.

From dropping in to check on the wellbeing of other customers living in a Stafford Independent Living Scheme, to bringing them meals and taking them to appointments, nothing is too much trouble for the winner of this year’s Good Neighbour Award, presented by SARH, now proud members of Housing Plus Group.

Avis was presented with the accolade during a recent customer event at Parker Court, Stafford.

Elizabeth Lodge, Health and wellbeing manager, explained: "A worthy winner of our annual award, Avis was nominated by four of her neighbours, includingone who says that she would have been lost without Avis's help and kindness over many years."

One of Avis's neighbours has dementia and needs a lot of support to continue living in her home and the kind-hearted SARH customer visits her at least four times a day with meals and treats. She's even brought her neighbour home when her dementia has caused her to wander off.

Two other residents, who have seen their health deteriorate, also benefit from Avis's kindness and both receive daily visits with meals, treats, hot drinks and, equally importantly, company as they are no longer able to get out and about.

Kathy Jones, Operational director of housing for Housing Plus Group, added: "Avis really is a shining example of what a good neighbour should be, and we know a lot of people really appreciate her care, compassion and community spirit."

Caption:

SARH customer Avis Williams hears she's won the Good Neighbour Award during an event at Parker Court.

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About Stafford and Rural Homes

Stafford and Rural Homes (SARH) is the largest social landlord in Stafford with around 6,000 homes across Stafford, Stone and the rural villages across the Borough. Established in 2006 to own and manage the former Stafford Borough Council housing stock, SARHset up a trading subsidiary company Housing Worx, to deliver planned maintenance works to its properties and fulfil commercial contracts in 2012. SARHalso offers 18 Independent Living schemes for people aged over 55 andan award-winning Telecare home safety and personal security system for the elderly and vulnerable ‘You First'.SARH has invested more than £280 million on improvement and regeneration programmes and have built over 500 high quality new homes for rent and shared ownership which have benefited SARH customers by improving neighbourhoods and creating job opportunities for local people. The housing association has pledged tobuild or acquire 900 new homes by 2021 andworks in partnership with local authorities, health trusts, statutory bodies and a range of voluntary organisations to create safe, sustainable communities where residents can ‘Live, Work and Grow'.

SARH is registered as a Charitable Community Benefit Society and is part of Housing Plus Group, one of the largest housing providers in the region.  

Follow SARH on Twitter@SARHomes

Media contact:

Martin Farrow
CHANGEWORKS Communications
t: + 44 (0) 1785 247588
m: +44 (0)7771 970025
e: mfarrow@changeworkscom.co.uk

Stafford and Rural Homes contact:

Mara Hargreaves
Marketing and Communications Manager
t:01785 216793 (Direct) 
m:07800 619 863 (Mobile)  
e:mara.hargreaves@sarh.co.uk