The Telford Centre housing development pilots a new type of house – a flexible, adapted property designed to support residents with increasing need to stay at home and live independently for longer, whilst being close enough to the Care Home to seek support. Residents can then either “Step Up” and become a resident of the Home if their need increases, or “Step Down”, back to a mainstream house should need decrease.

The judging panel visited the development as the tenants were moving into their new homes to take a look at the new houses and discuss the model with the design team.

Officers from the council’s housing development team attended the award ceremony to collect the council’s award.

Local councillor and leader of the council, Margaret Davidson, said: “This is a huge accolade and reflects all the hard work of everyone involved from the conception to helping people move into their new homes. Development of adapted houses is not new to the council, but this award winning pilot takes the fresh step of building the units in the grounds of the Telford Centre Care Home to provide the missing link between living independently and entering a formal care setting. Due to this successful approach I am sure we will see more similar housing development across other Highland communities.”

The council worked closely with the NHS and with the local community company, who kindly provided some of the land needed to enlarge the care home garden sufficiently for the six units that were built.

Cllr Davidson added: “This national recognition really is well deserved. The project has been a splendid example of how partnership working can bring tangible benefits to communities. Most importantly, I am sure the new residents will be very happy spending their first Christmas in their new homes.”