Good neighbour award for kind-hearted Avis

Caring for elderly neighbours who need a little extra help around the home has earned Stafford and Rural Homes (SARH) customer Avis Williams a special award from the housing association.

From dropping in to check on the wellbeing of other customers living in a Stafford Independent Living Scheme, to bringing them meals and taking them to appointments, nothing is too much trouble for the winner of this year’s SARH Good Neighbour Award.

Avis was presented with the accolade during a recent customer event at Parker Court, Stafford.

Elizabeth Lodge, Health and wellbeing manager, explained: “A worthy winner of our annual award, Avis was nominated by four of her neighbours, including one who says that she would have been lost without Avis’s help and kindness over many years.”

One of Avis’s neighbours has dementia and needs a lot of support to continue living in her home and the kind-hearted SARH customer visits her at least four times a day with meals and treats. She’s even brought her neighbour home when her dementia has caused her to wander off.

Two other residents, who have seen their health deteriorate, also benefit from Avis’s kindness and both receive daily visits with meals, treats, hot drinks and, equally importantly, company as they are no longer able to get out and about.

Kathy Jones, Operational director of housing for Housing Plus Group, added: “Avis really is a shining example of what a good neighbour should be, and we know a lot of people really appreciate her care, compassion and community spirit.”