The partnership's other scheme, Broadway Gardens in Bushbury, Wolverhampton collected a Silver Award for the best UK scheme in the Housing Care category.

One of ExtraCare's nine retirement villages, Brunswick Gardens in Sheffield, managed in partnership with Sheffield City Council and Arena Housing Group, also collected a Gold Award for the best UK housing In-house Scheme with More Than 100 Units category.

Nominations were received from 2,140 residents organised into 540 groups at 260 housing schemes and there were 32 finalists. Voting was decided on information provided by residents who used a unique playing card system to register their nominations.

Lynn Bate, Manager of School Court, says 32 of the 43 residents submitted nominations. After the event she commented: "We were thrilled to have been voted the overall winner which means we're the best in the UK. And it's not surprising because we have a fantastic group of residents and most of them will have a go at anything."

The scheme also collected £500 prize money and this will be spent on a party for residents to celebrate their success.

ExtraCare was the only provider to scoop more than one award at the event. Operations Director Leann Hearn commented: "We thank our residents who took the time to tell everyone else in the sector that they are having the time of their lives. Our thanks also go to our dedicated and hard working staff, and of course to our partners' for their continued commitment and support which is invaluable and much appreciated."