A VITAL communication service enabling eldery and vulnerable people to live in their own homes has been recognised with a national award.

(CORR)HomeCall, which is part of Coast & Country Housing, was rewarded with the Telecare Services Association (TSA) Code of Practice Award for the sixth year running.

All areas of the service from referral, 24-hour call monitoring and warden response service, have been praised following an independent inspection.

Jason Lowe, head of independent living services, said: “Our service has grown to meet the needs of our customers. We serve over 4,500 customers across the Tees Valley who depend on us to deliver excellence and quality every time - this is people’s lives we are dealing with and we pride ourselves on offering the service at the high standard we do."

The services help elderly and vulnerable residents remain independent in their own homes, avoiding early and often unnecessary admission into residential care homes.

A key element of the service is the support and reassurance it provides to the families of elderly and vulnerable people.

All emergency calls are handled by the 24/7 contact centre, based at Coast & Country headquarters in Redcar.