Carlisle City Council’s disabled facilities grants team has been shortlisted for a national award.
The five-strong team have been shortlisted for the DFG Adaptations Service of the Year in this year’s Foundations National Healthy Housing Awards.
The award recognises excellent practice in delivering disability adaptations in the home through Disabled Facilities Grants.
Team member Loren Park has also been shortlisted for the Caseworker of the Year award.
The awards will be presented at a ceremony in Manchester next month.
Councillor Elizabeth Mallinson, portfolio holder for communities, health and wellbeing, said: “What makes our team different, is that we have the experience and knowledge in place to deliver an excellent service. The team is fully committed to delivering a service that suits the needs of our customers and our delivery partners.
“The introduction of a private occupational therapist service within the team and then an in-house trusted assessor has had a massive impact, the independent referrals now account for around one third of referrals that are coming through the adaptation team.
“I’m delighted that the team has been recognised nationally. Their work makes a massive difference to their customer’s lives – making it easier and safer to stay living in their own home.”
Financial assistance is available to provide aids and adaptations, so that people who need help to gain better access to, or within their home, can maintain their independence for as long as possible.
Items include stairlifts; level access showers; ramps; ground floor extensions for bedrooms and en suite shower rooms.
Means testing applies in certain cases where larger multi-need adaptations are required and the city council said it helped over 95 per cent of grant applicants, a large proportion of which wouldn’t have qualified under the traditional grant scheme only.
For more information about the grants available, call 01228 817200 or email DFG@carlisle.gov.uk
