Care and Repair reaches milestone

The Care and Repair initiative, which has been in existence since 1989 in Ross and Cromarty and 1994 in Sutherland, has recently achieved a significant milestone of improving the 3,000th house. The initiative, which is managed by local charity, ILM Highland, was started by the then Ross and Cromarty District Council in Applecross. Within a few years, it had spread to other areas of the county. By 1995, it covered all of Ross and Cromarty. The same initiative commenced in North West Sutherland in 1994, after discussions between ILM and Sutherland District Council. By 1997, it covered all of Sutherland. From then it has gone from strength to strength, benefiting many vulnerable people. The 3,000th job was carried out at the home of Mr and Mrs Garland who live in Evanton. The external ramp to their front door and the adaptations inside the house mean the couple can stay in their home where they have lived for the last 11 years. The couple are delighted with the work. Dee Garland said: "We didn't want to have to move when my husband took ill. While he was in hospital the Care and Repair team did a tremendous and very professional job which now means we can carry on living in our home. We'd like to thank everyone involved for all their hard work." Jim Cockburn, an ILM Board member said: "Care and repair is a win:win situation, which provides a fit very much in line with the strategies of key agencies in the Highlands, such as The Highland Council and NHS Highland. By improving older people's housing conditions, it has a knock on effect of improving their quality of life. People, who may otherwise go into care, can remain in their own homes and communities for longer. At the same time, the quality of housing across the area is improved for the future." ILM (Highland) has been delivering the service across Ross-shire and Sutherland for the past sixteen years. Over this period, some 8,000 elderly people and those with a disability have benefited from the service, with around £12 million invested into the local economy. Andy Dytch, General Manager of ILM, said: "This would not have happened to the scale it has, if it had not been for the strong support and funding of The Highland Council. Throughout the years the council have maintained this commitment to support the Care and Repair initiative, not only in Ross and Cromarty and Sutherland, but also through other partner agencies across the Highlands. The Care and Repair service which in Ross and Cromarty and Sutherland is delivered through ILM Highland is part of a service that operates in all areas of Highland. The Council are the principle funders of schemes, which are delivered by five locally based agencies investing over £2 million per annum in Care and Repair, generating over £2.5 million of construction work which assists in improving and adapting properties of older or disabled homeowners and assists in supporting the local construction industry. Councillor Margaret Davidson, Chairman of The Highland Council's Housing and Social Work Committee, said: "I'd like to congratulate ILM Highland for reaching this impressive milestone. Successfully completing 3,000 jobs is a real achievement for everyone involved and they deserve recognition as without a doubt their work has had a positive impact on many people's lives. By targeting Council resources to Care and Repair we are demonstrating our commitment to help people stay in their own homes for as long as is practical. In many cases a few adaptations to a home can make a huge difference to the quality of life for a person so supporting the Care and Repair service this is a valuable way of helping in a constructive and practical way."