Mr Neil attended a celebration event to highlight the work Care and Repair does in North Lanarkshire and West Lothian.
The event was held to mark Horizon receiving the Scottish Quality Mark accreditation for its Care and Repair services which provide practical assistance to older and disabled people to help them live in their homes in comfort and security and with greater independence, as well as highlighting the wider social and economic impact they have on service users and other stakeholders.
Horizon is only the fifth service in Scotland to receive Care and Repair Scotland's Quality Mark for its West Lothian and North Lanarkshire services. This is an externally assessed assurance that governanance, operation and outcomes meet the high standards that service users nedd and expect.
Horizon was also pleased to announce that both services had demonstrated a significant social return on investment made in the service. A social return of Investment (SROI) evaluation last year on the Care and Repair West Lothian service proved that there was a social return of £4.53 for every £1 invested. Amore recent SRO evaluation on the North Lanakshire service has shown a social return of £3.79 for every £1 invested. The range of outcomes that benefitted users of these services included reducing falls and accidents in the home, increased ability to remain living at home and reduced costs for social care and health services.
Mr Neil said: "It was a pleasure to attend the launch today. The Scottish Government is committed to enabling older people and disabled people to live comfortably and securely in their own homes, or a homely setting, for as long as possible. Services like Care and Repair play a huge role part in making this happen".
