AN innovative residential community that helps Hereford residents with dementia keep their independence has picked up a national award.

Henffordd Gardens is a 30-apartment cluster on Penhaligon Way in the city centre which opened in January 2014 with the clear aim of helping residents live independently and reduce the likelihood of them being admitted to hospital.

The scheme, run by Herefordshire Housing Group and the Independence Trust, received national recognition this week, picking up TSA’s Crystal Award for Technology Enabled 21st Century Care and Support.

At Henffordd Gardens, residents can access the latest in telecare and telehealth technology.

They also have an on-site concierge and individually tailored support and care packages.

A Herefordshire Housing spokesman said: “The Group is one of the first not-for-profit organisations in the country to integrate both telehealth and telecare as part of a resident’s personalised care and are also one of the first to use cutting edge technology such as digital noticeboards, information kiosks and myworld tablets to support residents, demonstrating the full range of available technology.

“Henffordd Gardens, as one of the most advanced schemes of its type in the country, fully demonstrates the commitment to becoming a leading provider of Total Wellbeing Services.”