CARE & REPAIR CYMRU, a Welsh charity, has been honored with a prestigious national award for its impactful endeavors in aiding vulnerable older individuals and those with disabilities to maintain independent living within their own homes. The judges were notably impressed by the organization’s initiatives to facilitate the smooth transition of older individuals returning home from hospitals, thereby reducing hospital readmissions due to substandard housing conditions and alleviating strain on local NHS services.

Selected from a pool of over 500 charities across the UK, Care & Repair Cymru (CRC) has been named one of the ten winners of the 2024 GSK IMPACT Awards, conducted in collaboration with The King’s Fund. This recognition, now in its 27th year, celebrates excellence within the charity sector, specifically acknowledging the exceptional contributions of small to medium-sized charities dedicated to enhancing people’s health and well-being in the UK.

As a recipient of this esteemed award, Care & Repair Cymru will receive £40,000 in unrestricted funding along with expert support and leadership development opportunities facilitated by The King’s Fund, a leading health and care charity.

Extensive research underscores the profound impact of living conditions on health and well-being. Established in 1991, Care & Repair Cymru’s initiatives encompass aiding in hospital discharge processes and averting hospital admissions by enhancing and adapting the residences of those at risk. Their services are comprehensive, person-centered, and tailored to individual needs.

In Wales, where 85% of older people are homeowners, there’s a strong desire among the elderly population to age in place. However, Wales boasts the oldest housing stock in the UK, with over a quarter of all housing built before 1919. Substandard or unsafe housing elevates the risk of falls, with approximately 50% of individuals aged 80 and above experiencing at least one fall annually. Moreover, inadequate housing conditions incur substantial costs to the Welsh NHS, with excess cold, dampness, and mold alone costing over £95 million annually. A significant portion of excess winter deaths among older individuals can be attributed to respiratory illnesses stemming from living in cold homes.

As the national body overseeing the efforts of 13 Care & Repair agencies spanning all 22 counties in Wales, Care & Repair Cymru’s Managing Better program targets some of the most vulnerable older individuals. This initiative offers a range of free services aimed at enhancing the independence and safety of individuals living with conditions such as dementia, sensory loss, or those who have suffered a stroke.

The award judges lauded Care & Repair Cymru for spearheading the Hospital to Healthier Home program, which aims to mitigate delayed discharge from hospitals and reduce readmission rates. Through close collaboration with NHS staff, Care & Repair agencies swiftly identify patients residing in unsuitable housing conditions and promptly implement necessary adaptations, free of charge, ensuring safe and timely discharge.

Additionally, the charity’s advocacy efforts spotlight the housing needs of Welsh homeowners and underscore the detrimental effects of poor housing conditions on the health of older individuals. By collating and presenting data, CRC contributes to evidence-based policy enhancements and actively supports endeavors toward establishing a new right to affordable and adequate housing.

Data compiled by the charity illustrates the substantial impact of their initiatives, with 62,607 older individuals supported to maintain independent living at home in the 2022/23 period. The agencies conducted £18.3 million worth of housing repair and improvement work, completed 20,438 adaptations, and secured £9.5 million in unclaimed benefits for service users.

Katie Pinnock, Director of UK Charitable Partnerships at GSK, emphasized the pivotal role of housing in enhancing people’s health and reducing hospitalizations. She commended Care & Repair Cymru for their steadfast advocacy, collaborative partnerships, and innovative programs that not only support vulnerable individuals but also alleviate pressure on overstretched NHS and social care services.

Expressing gratitude for the recognition, Chris Jones, CEO of Care & Repair Cymru, underscored the organization’s commitment to advocating for healthy homes and providing essential support to thousands of older individuals in Wales, thereby easing the burden on NHS services.

The GSK IMPACT Awards program aims to foster leadership development within the charity sector, and all winners are invited to participate in a tailored leadership development program administered by The King’s Fund.