Pictured above: (l-r) Ian Ferguson, chief executive, Beacon
Centre for the Blind; Paul Roberts, site manager, William Davis
Ltd; Jo Wright, scheme co-ordinator, Bromford Housing Group; Ron
Henson, site manager, William Davis Ltd and Brian Quinn, site
manager, William Davis Ltd
Beacon centre for the Blind and Beacon Court in Sedgley has
scooped first place in the Meeting the Needs of Vulnerable People
category in the coveted UK Housing Awards 2010.
Developed by project partners, Loughborough-based contractor and
developer William Davis Ltd, Beacon Centre for the Blind and social
housing and support group Bromford, the £18m development
provides state of the art facilities, services and accommodation
for people with visual impairment.
On hearing the news of the accolade, Guy Higgins, managing
director of William Davis Ltd said: "At last this fantastic
facility has been recognised for what it is, not only a superbly
designed and constructed building but a living breathing testament
to what began life as a brilliant concept that has now come to
fruition to the benefit of all concerned. It really is one of
the finest examples of partnership we have experienced."
Beacon Centre CEO, Ian Ferguson said: "Everybody connected with
the Beacon Centre project has worked extremely hard, we are all
very pleased that our commitment to improving the daily lives of
visually impaired people has been recognised at a national
level."
Helen Shields, Bromford Support care services business manager
was equally thrilled with the win, she said: "I was lost for words.
It means so much to all of us - colleagues and partners - who have
worked so hard on this fantastic project to get this high-profile
recognition from the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) and
Inside Housing magazine."
The award win comes just over a year after the Royal opening of
the scheme by HRH The Princess Royal, and combines a
state-of-the-art replacement for the old Beacon Centre for the
Blind which now comprises 71 apartments managed by Bromford with
care and support provided by Beacon Centre for the Blind.
Sarah Webb, CEO of the CIH, commented on the award stating:
"State-of-the-art facilities meet both the residential and social
needs of visually impaired customers, and community initiatives
such as the employment and training project are invaluable to our
customers".