The deadline for nominations has been reset to 30th March 2012. Now that the date of the Awards Celebration has been fixed to 21st May, we can extend the nomination period by another month. Despite the new cost of the nomination packs, orders for them are piling in, and so are the submissions. To date we have received nominations from 223 groups of residents, such as the one on this photo, sent by the residents of Westmead, Barnsley, an extra care scheme managed by South Yorkshire Housing Association Ltd.

EAC has devised an entertaining method of consulting the residents of retirement housing. This card-game satisfaction survey informs managers and housing providers on how their residents value their home, the communal facilities, the services they receive and the lifestyle.

The card game involves the residents in small groups as well as individually, giving them the chance to discuss statements and agree on ratings, but also to respond privately.

EAC Provider Reports come in two types:

Type A reports are available for all schemes which were nominated by their residents for the annual National Housing for Older People Awards

Type B reports are the output of specially commissioned consultations

A sample report and a price list are available at http://www.housingcare.org/eac-services.aspx

If more than two or three schemes are involved in type A or type B consultations, the service will include an additional free Provider Aggregate Report.

For more information call 020 7820 1682 or email alex.billeter@eac.org.uk

With 65% more entries than last year these Awards confirm their popularity amongst residents of sheltered and retirement housing schemes.

The data collected from over 3500 residents has allowed us to select the 34 winners if this year's awards. However it does not stop there, these answers will enable us to report to housing providers on the strengths and weaknesses of their schemes, as perceived by their residents, while protecting the residents' confidentiality.

We are working on a provider’s report that will clearly present these results, including regional and national ranking within the many categories.

Our long term ambition is to further increase the award participation and help schemes to focus on the areas that the residents have highlighted. We will also be combining the results with our existing information on  the schemes to identify features that drive residents satisfaction. 

Shaun Brewer

Data Analyst Consultant

We are looking for an organisation or a consultant to help us better exploit EAC’s unique National Database of Housing for Older People. A short term contract to analyse creatively the nominations to the EAC National Housing for Older People Awards 2011 should provide the basis for a long term partnership. Please see Information for Applicants under EAC news on the home page

Following the success of the Awards ceremony at Lord's Cricket Ground on 4th February (http://www.housingcare.org/providers/housing-for-older-people-awards-2010-event.aspx), several sponsors have already announced there readiness to support next year's Awards. Once again residents of retirement and sheltered housing will be able to vote using the special deck of cards which was used by 2140 people last year. 

EAC intends to double or even triple the number of entries. At the Award Ceremony, Lord McKenzie of Luton, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, said "I hope that your success will inspire all providers and managers of housing for older people to encourage their residents to take part in next year's awards".

Nomination Packs will be available from 1st September 2010, entries received till end October 2010, leading to the Awards ceremony in February 2011.

Watch the online version of the DVD by clicking the movie below: