Rochdale Home Improvement Agency wins Agency of the Year Award

Date published: 12/02/2008

The Rochdale Home Improvement Agency, took the prestigious 'Agency of the Year' Award at the Annual Home Improvement Agency Awards, held in London.

The Agency, part of Rochdale Borough Council's Strategic Housing Service, helps elderly and disabled people across the Borough remain independent within their own homes by offering a range of practical assistance.  Through various grants, Equity Release, Handyperson Scheme and by providing advice and support, they help older, disabled and vulnerable people to carry out repairs, improvements and adaptations to their homes.  

The awards ceremony held at Portcullis House, Westminster was backed by Foundations, the national body for home improvement agencies and presided over by Government minister Baroness Andrews of Southover.

Local MP, Paul Rowen, who presented the award to Rochdale Borough Council's Private Sector Housing Manager, Paul Gordziejewicz, said that making the decision was tough: "All the applications were extremely strong. However, those who are aware of the work of this agency would agree that Rochdale certainly merit winning this award. They are a well established agency with twenty dedicated staff offering a wide range of services."

Judges were impressed with the standard and quality of their entry which highlighted domestic violence initiatives and successful engagement with the equity release agenda, together with strong partnerships. 

Councillor Ali, the Lead Member for Housing who attended the ceremony said he was very proud of all the staff responsible: "Congratulations go to everyone involved in this real team effort.  Our agency does some excellent work in the Borough and the competition for this national award was fierce.  I am a strong advocate for its services as it helps a lot of our older generations maintain and improve their own homes.  This award is a fitting recognition of the quality of the services our agency provides and the commitment of the staff."

Foundations had a record number of entries for this year's awards. Their director, Tony Molloy, praised the Rochdale agency for the overall quality of its service and highlighted its service advice on repairs and adaptations, the help it offers people looking for grants and other benefits to fund work, and the technical support it gives to make sure that work is done to the best standards using reputable traders.

For further information about the work of the Home Improvement Agency or more details about the services it provides, please phone 01706 926671.