Our care and support team at Penfold Street in Westminster have been nominated for a Housing Heroes Award, honouring their amazing work with vulnerable residents.
The ceremony, to be held in Manchester on June 25, celebrates the unsung heroes of the housing sector, whether frontline teams, care staff or campaigning residents.
At Penfold Street, the extra care team provides highly creative 24-hour care for 53 customers, including a highly personalised service to eight residents living with dementia. They have been shortlisted in the Support and Care Team of the Year (over 7,000 homes) category.
In the heart of Penfold Street is a community hub which has allowed the team to have a significant impact on older people both from the scheme and beyond, with more than 300 people accessing one or more activities there every quarter.
There is also a beautiful garden managed and maintained by Penfold Street staff, residents, hub users and volunteers, with seasonal fruit and vegetables grown there being used for a shared Friday lunch every week.
Staff are now focussing on helping residents get more active, which has already led to a reduction in falls and an improvement in mental and physical health. They are working with a local nursery and welcoming the young children twice a week, as well as alongside Oomph, a wellness organisation training Penfold staff to deliver two exercise classes each week.
Linda Strong, director of care operations for Notting Hill Genesis, said: “Our staff are rightly proud of the work they are doing to provide great services and activities to residents, with the help of new and existing partners. Loneliness and isolation is a significant issue for many older people and our team do so much to ensure our residents are having fun and enjoying their later years.
This nomination is a well-deserved tribute to all their hard work and thoughtfulness and I wish them the best of luck for the awards themselves.
Two other schemes where Notting Hill Genesis provides services have also been nominated. Phoenix Community Housing, who own Hazelhurst Court in Lewisham, are also shortlisted in the Support and Care Team of the Year category while Dawn Cooke, from PA Housing who own Visram House in Brent, is up for a Lifetime Achievement in Housing prize.