David Gresham House, run By Abbeyfield North Downs Society has won a well-deserved Silver Award in the Best UK Retirement Housing Scheme (under 30 units) category.
A nomination by resident Olive Griffin secured David Gresham House a place in the finals of the Elderly Accommodation Council’s Housing for Older People Awards, which were held on 4th February at The Nursery Pavilion at Lords Cricket Ground in London.
Mrs Griffin, a resident for just six months, put forward the development of four sheltered one bedroom flats, completed in 2003 for the Award, with the backing of Basil Hasledine and other residents. The flats are attached to the registered residential care home at David Gresham House in Oxted, Surrey.
She said: “I’m thrilled we won the Silver Award. These flats are light and spacious. I can live quite independently yet know that there is 24 hour emergency back up if I need it, plus meals, socialising and other facilities like hairdressing and chiropody are available too. I am very pleased and happy with my move here which is why I put the flats forward for this Award. It is also good to know that if I do become in need of care the move over to the registered residential care part of David Gresham House would be easy as I know everyone already and its all part of the same facility”.
David Gresham House has twenty-eight registered residential care rooms plus the four sheltered flats. Chairman Andrew Dick says “It’s really pleasing that a resident thinks so much of David Gresham House that she put us forward for this Award and it’s wonderful that we have won the Silver!”
Manager at the house for nearly twenty years, Pam Packham, is also delighted. She says “It’s absolutely fantastic that we reached the finals. We had a great day out at Lord’s and to go home with the Silver is the icing on the cake”.