Member Article

Grŵp Cynefin becomes first North Wales housing association to win sight loss support award

Grwp Cynefin is the first housing association in North Wales to receive a prestigious award from the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB).

Extra care housing schemes Llys Awelon in Ruthin and Awel y Coleg in Bala have both been awarded the RNIB’s Visibly Better Cymru platinum standard. The award is the sight loss charity’s highest level of accreditation, and is given to housing providers that ensure their properties, services and staff meet the needs of people with sight loss.

The Visibly Better Cymru platinum awards were presented to Grwp Cynefin staff and residents at Awel y Coleg by Older People’s Commissioner for Wales Sarah Rochira and John Ramm, chair of RNIB Cymru.

Grwp Cynefin was assessed on criteria including ongoing visual awareness training for its staff, ensuring properties are designed to minimise risks for people with sight loss and improve independence, and active promotion of eye health.

Practical measures taken by Grwp Cynefin to support residents with sight loss include painting the far walls of rooms a different colour to improve depth perception, and using fittings with contrasting colours to aid visibility.

Ceri Jackson, Director RNIB Cymru, said: “Our Visibly Better awards make a huge difference to the lives of tenants. Often the changes are very simple but lead to a reduction in falls and accidents.

“Although the standards are aimed at improving accessibility for people with sight loss, they will benefit a wide range of tenants including people with dementia or mobility problems.

“We know that one in five people aged 75 and over are living with sight loss, and that sight loss is set to double in the next 25 years.

“Congratulations to Grwp Cynefin on two outstanding platinum awards - a double first for our partners in north Wales!”

Grwp Cynefin is now working to implement Visibly Better Cymru standards in its other properties, including its third extra care scheme, Penucheldre in Holyhead. The RNIB is also contributing to the design of Grwp Cynefin’s next extra care scheme, Hafod y Gest in Porthmadog, which is under development.

Grwp Cynefin’s Board Chairman, John Arthur Jones said: “We make every effort to improve the standard of living for all of our extra care housing residents.

“Small changes to our properties make a big difference to the lives of tenants living with sight loss, and we’re now implementing the Visibly Better standard in other properties managed by the housing association.”

The award is the latest in a string of successes for Grwp Cynefin, which won the Outstanding Development of the Year award at the 2015 UK Housing Awards, and is shortlisted for two awards at the 2015 Welsh Housing Awards.

As well as its three extra care schemes, Grwp Cynefin manages nearly 4,500 affordable homes across North Wales, provides a range of community services for people in need and also delivers a number of community regeneration projects.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sam Harris .