News
Anchor upgrades energy performance of Durham homes
Anchor has upgraded the energy performance of 23 properties in Durham after securing funding from the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund. Working in partnership with framework
contractors Equans, the upgrade follows a successful bid for SHDF funding that Anchor – England’s largest not-for-profit provider of specialist housing and care for people in later life – submitted as part of the Greener Futures Partnership, a group of like-minded housing associations who have come together to tackle the long-term decarbonisation challenge. Anchor secured £2.2 million of funding
to deliver energy efficiency works to 341 homes that are below an Energy Performance Certificate rating of C, with homes in Hawkshead Court in Newton Aycliffe, Durham one of the first to benefit. Anchor and Equans completed retrofit assessment surveys to all properties, with works getting underway in January. One of the measures that took place was to replace old storage heaters with new Elnur high heat retention storage heaters, which offer residents much more control of their heating without compromising on warmth and affordability. Liz Davenport, property sustainability
director at Anchor, said: “As part of Anchor’s long term sustainability strategy and in line
with Government targets, we need to ensure all our rented properties reach an Energy Performance Certificate of C or above by 2030 whilst also ensuring residents’ homes are comfortable and affordable to live. “This programme of works plays a key role
in delivering on these aims and supporting our longer-term net zero carbon target by reducing carbon emissions.
“We are taking a ‘fabric first’ approach which means making homes more energy efficient by improving the fabric of the building including measures such as windows, wall, and loft insulation, followed by making improvement inside the home with upgrades to heating systems and installing low energy lighting.” Tim Wood, director of sustainability
& innovation at Equans, said: “Equans is committed to making a net zero future happen for our clients across the country. By working closely with Anchor, we’re enabling them to make lasting, positive, change to the carbon footprint of their housing stock, starting with Hawkshead Court in Newton Aycliffe.
“The benefits aren’t just at a corporate
level, and it’s rewarding for us to see residents are already benefiting from the works we’ve carried out in their homes. Hopefully, they’ll be feeling the benefits of improved energy efficiency and newer technology.”
Anavo buys five Scottish care homes
Care provider Anavo has acquired five care homes in Scotland, with the purchases having been completed this April. In 2021, Anavo took on the management of the homes after they entered administration. Having assessed the financial sustainability of the business, Anavo decided to make an offer on the homes, in a move that marks the provider’s first move into the freehold market, having previously been focussed on management contracts and leasehold acquisitions. Anavo partner Jamie Braganza said: “We took on this project because we knew we could deliver a strategic plan for the administrators. We soon found that we were working with fantastic care teams who were committed to their residents and had the potential to deliver great outcomes. As the business stabilised, it felt natural to make this acquisition and
May 2024
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commit to these homes into the future. “We’re delighted to have achieved this milestone and we’re grateful to all partners for aiding us in taking this step. We’re excited to working with the teams and challenging ourselves to keep pushing these services forward.” Philip Armstrong, former joint
administrator at FRP Advisory Trading Limited, commented: “After trading the homes in administration with Anavo’s support for a number of years, we are delighted that we have been able to exit the administrations solvently and secured the sale of these homes to Anavo, who have been instrumental in delivering the improved performance at these homes that has facilitated the ongoing care to residents and secured the jobs at these homes. We wish them continued success in the future.”
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Social care minister plants tree at Faversham home
Helen Whately MP met residents and staff at Anchor’s Canterbury House care home and planted a tree to commemorate the visit.
The minister of state for social care – and
Faversham and Mid Kent MP – was joined by Anchor chief executive Sarah Jones and managing director of care services Rob Martin for a tour of Canterbury House, during which she chatted with residents and found out about the range of care services available at the home. Canterbury House care home
manager Rachel Dadwa-As said: “We were thrilled to have our local MP and social care minister visit us at Canterbury House. The residents enjoyed meeting her and we spoke about the person-centred care services we provide at the home. The tree planted in the grounds will also be a great memory of the occasion for many years to come.” Anchor chief executive Sarah Jones said: “We were delighted to host Helen at Anchor’s Canterbury House care home. I know the residents and team really enjoyed speaking with her and it was a great opportunity for Helen to see firsthand, how our care colleagues are committed to delivering the highest standards of care and serving the local community.”
Helen Whately MP added: “It was such a pleasure to meet staff and residents at Canterbury House. The warm atmosphere they’ve worked hard to create is obvious from the moment you walk in. As care minister I see every day the difference that care like this makes to people’s lives, and it’s great to have them locally.”
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