Hats off to housing champs at Ascot

Good things come in three’s – or so they say. Well that was the plan last week as three of us (and our orange hat) headed down to Ascot Racecourse for an awards ceremony to big up some of the nation’s best-loved homes for older people.

Best hat competition aside, what was particularly impressive about the 2011 National Housing for Older People Awards, was the way the winners were selected. After all, old people and a pack of cards might be a normal combination, but the result of an awards ceremony is not.

The awards, run by the Elderly Accommodation Counsel (EAC), recognise specialist housing schemes which are the best in their field. And to select the best schemes more than 3,500 residents from across the UK got involved in a card game that led to scores on design, services and well-being.

Turnout on the day was also impressive. The crowd of 350 guests boasted nearly 200 residents donning an entertaining array of headwear (to enter a best hat competition) in keeping with the venue’s tradition.

With all 64 schemes attending either bagging a gold, silver or bronze, everyone was a winner. And with guest speaker Nicholas Owen, and hats sporting casino, beach and fruit bowl displays, glitz and glamour were also high on the agenda.

But in my opinion the real stars of the show were scheme staff, who not only made it possible for the residents to get involved in the nominations, but enrich the lives of hundreds of people daily with their care and kindness, even when the party’s over.