Darren Heffer, director of Cambridge-based Saunders Boston Architects, has been appointed as joint regional chair of the Housing Learning and Improvement Network (LIN) for the eastern region.
The Housing LIN is a network of housing, health and social care professionals in England, Wales, and Scotland that aims to improve housing solutions for elderly people through discussion, planning and shared ideas.
Following Mr Heffer’s four years in post on the eastern steering committee, the appointment was announced at the eastern region Housing LIN’s latest event on June 11, which brought together housing industry experts from the central Housing LIN team and the eastern steering group to discuss the past achievements of the network and its aims for the future.
A key point on the meeting’s agenda discussed how to develop a new housing strategy that supports older people, an area of expertise for Mr Heffer, who has over 20 years’ architectural experience in the residential and retirement living and care sectors.
He has worked on a variety of projects from £100,000 to more than £40m, including the recently completed 42-apartment sheltered housing project, Reynold’s Court, in Newport, near Saffron Walden.
Mr Heffer said: “Designing for community is at the heart of what we do at Saunders Boston Architects, and ensuring that the same quality of design is given to the elderly community is something we feel very strongly about.
“The Housing LIN is a fantastic network of people that share this vision, so I’m very proud to be representing the eastern region to drive the ambition towards providing better housing for the elderly.
“Through the extensive Housing LIN network and the expertise of its members, we will be able to bring together the various industries that provide for the elderly in order to unify our common goal, which is to ensure the best quality in social care, housing and, ultimately, quality of life.”
