TPAS Connecting People Awards - August 2 08

These national awards, held in Birmingham, saw the culmination of the regional heats.

The results:

Green Project or Initiative in the Community Award

Sponsored by Connaught Partnerships
Presented by Kate Kenny, Customer Experience Manager

This award seeks to recognise community projects that have brought significant environmental improvements to communities and the people that live in them. The Projects short listed are all tenant-led and have brought tangible benefits to both the environment and the local community itself.

The regional winners and finalists are:

1. Northern - 'Bicyle Recyling'
2. Craiganour Tenants & Residents Association, Denaby
3. Customer Advisory Panel ‘Green Day’– Saffron Housing Trust
4. London & South East Radland Road Sensory Garden Project, Canning Town, Newham - Canning Town & Custom House Resident Association and Pinnacle
5. South West ‘The Plantation Project’ – Somer Community Housing Trust

And the Winner is ‘Kingfisher Project’ - Trent & Dove Housing

To collect the award are: Doug Mason– Kingfisher Project, Bob Johnson– Kingfisher Project, Lawrence Oates- East Staffs Borough Council

Three years ago, the ‘Kingfisher project’ area was a dumping ground for rubbish and was seen by residents and agencies as a ‘problem’. The residents have taken this on and have created an environmental and educational project that brings together communities and will provide a sustainable are of beauty for future generations to enjoy

Tenant Liaison Officer of the Year- Landlord

Sponsored by Frank Haslam Milan West Midlands
Presented by Fraser Mercer Managing director

Tenant liaison officers play a key role in the lives of many tenants. From keeping them informed of the likely effects and progress of major refurbishment schemes to helping then to bring about improvements to the communities in which they live, tenant liaison officers often become far more than the approachable face of their employing landlord. TLO’s can at once be a source of information and reassurance, the first port of call when something goes wrong, or a friend to share a cup of tea with.

The regional winners and finalists are:

1. Northern - Cathy McCormick - Manchester Methodist Housing Association
2. Midlands - Sandra Webster - High Peak Community Housing
3. Eastern - Brenda Metcalfe – Anchor Trust
4. London & South East - Jane Sheehan - Shepherds Bush Housing Association
5. South West - Philippa Barton – Redland Housing Association

And the Winner is Jane Sheehan - Shepherds Bush Housing Association

Highly regarded by tenants, colleagues and stakeholders, Jane personifies our organisational values. Her passionate approach, respect for others and desire to put customers first demonstrate Jane’s united methodology for involving tenants in our work. Jane’s initiatives have greatly increased tenant participation and her dedication will raise tenant participation levels even higher.

Tenant Liaison Officer of the Year- Contractor

Sponsored by Northern, Midlands and Southern Housing magazines
Presented by Penni Pennington, Manager of Northern Housing magazine

Although the vast current swathes of refurbishment taking place across the nations social housing stock undoubting bring benefits to residents in the long term, the stress of the work itself can lead to a trying time for those affected. The role of a TLO is vital for these residents, from preparing them for the work ahead to guiding them through the process itself with the minimum of disruption. This award seeks to reward TLO’s who have excelled themselves

The regional winners and finalists are:

1. Northern - Carole Gilbert - Connaught Partnerships
2. Midlands - Sue Lunn - Frank Haslam Milan
3. London & South East - Polly Moona - Higgins Construction

From the entries received from the Eastern & South West regions, none of the entrants met with the criteria set from tpas so we have no winners from these regions.

And the Winner is Polly Moona - Higgins Construction

Polly Moona has developed customer focused procedures & policies which has altered the approach to Resident Liaison. Both Tenants and Site Staff alike appreciate her efforts

Tenant of the Year

In this category the judges were looking for a tenant who has given up time and effort to improve their homes and communities, through organised participation or their own efforts. They will have shown an understanding of the needs of their communities and fellow tenants. Most importantly helped improve communication and engagement between tenant, landlord and/or contractor. The winner will receive the Cliff Whitely memorial award

The regional winners and finalists are:

1) Northern - Linda Fletcher - Ashton Pioneer Homes

Linda is a tenant of Ashton Pioneer Homes that gives a phenomenal amount of her free time to help improve homes and the community via a wide range of organised participation projects and via her own efforts. Linda decided to “get involved” with the local residents association because she felt passionate about the fact there were no play areas for young people. As the primary carer for her grandson Alex, this was an issue close to her heart. This initial involvement started what she described as a thirst for knowledge and a desire to make a difference. Since then she has never looked back researching areas she does not understand and by acting as a voice for the local community and making things happen.

2) Midlands - Doreen Gretton - Nottingham City Homes

Doreen is the Chairperson of Nobel Road TARA and works closely with local agencies to resolve problems on her estate. She works tirelessly for her community and many local children would never have seen the sea if it wasn’t for her commitment. Her home is an open house day and night to local residents and due to her hard work the estate is now somewhere that people want to live.

3) Eastern - Tricia Draper – Aragon Housing Association

Trish Draper’s tenant involvement is extensive. She belongs to three customer panels, speaks at housing conferences and participates in intergenerational projects promoting understanding between young and older people. She is the exemplary good neighbour, helping elderly residents contact local services and has successfully campaigned to restore a rural bus route.

4) London & South East - Sue Burns – Ascham Homes

Sue is a mother, bus driver and lives on the Avenue Road Estate, East London. She inspects the estate, attends meetings, produces newsletters, surveys tenants, is developing a residents association and obtained £1.5 million for security works for the estate. She directs ‘The Langthorne Youthfest’, enjoyed by 1000 young people.

5) South West - John Richardson – Somer Community Housing Trust

John is committed to resident involvement and undertakes a huge amount of work in his community. John is an active Tenant Representative and Chair of his local residents’ group, which has been very successful reaching out to the community through an impressive programme of social and cultural activities

And the Winner who received the Cliff Whitely memorial award was Linda Fletcher - Ashton Pioneer Homes