TPAS Connecting People Awards Final 2008/09

The awards recognise those who have gone out of their way over the last year to increase tenant involvement and empowerment, and the quality of nominations is testament to the fact that there are a lot of companies that recognise the importance and relevance of keeping tenants at the very heart of the social housing sector.

1. Green Project or Initiative in the Community Award

Sponsored by Morrison

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.

1. Northern region: The Pioneer Gardeners Group - Ashton Pioneer Homes
2. Midlands region: The Leyfields Project - HomeZone Living Housing Association
3. Southern region: Twice as Nice Furniture Recycling Project - Testway Housing

Winner: The Pioneer Gardeners Group - Ashton Pioneer Homes
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The Pioneer Gardeners Group was formed in June 2007 and currently has 12 members. The members are unpaid volunteers and residents of St. Peters Ward in Ashton-Under-Lyne, Tameside. The group’s aims are to provide “Cleaner Greener Space for all” from dirty, untidy and abandoned space.

PG Tips have completed a number of projects since its formation from within neighbourhood. They plan each project, design the hard and soft landscaping, build the project and maintain the project after completion. Since the success of the PG Tips at the Regional (North) Connecting People Awards in 2008 the group have been have been working hard on projects around local estates and with commercial neighbours.

PG Tips initially raised its start up funding from a small local grant of less than £2000.00 for tools. It is now fully self sufficient and sustainable. The group actively seek to encourage local businesses and private home owners to help the initiative by being involved and by being kept informed about the group’s activities.

2. Best Practice in the Community Award

Resident involvement is not always just about working with landlords, tenants, and residents. More and more we see excellent work in engaging with the wider community, not just tenure specific. This may involve working with stakeholders, and partners other than those just in the housing sphere.

1. Northern region: Blenheims and Archeries Community Transformation - Leeds Federated
2. Midlands region: Get FIT (Faded into Terrific) Campaign - Worcester Community Housing
3. Southern region: Youth Films Project - Homes for Haringey

Winner: Youth Films Project - Homes for Haringey
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Young people in four estates reached out to their communities by making short films highlighting local concerns. Working with Homes for Haringey and partner agencies they learned extensive film skills and successfully used the films to support successful calls for better local services, new youth facilities and attract new volunteers

3. Tenant Liaison Officer of the Year- Landlord

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.

1. Northern region: Lynne Anderson - Great Places Housing Group
2. Midlands region: Nicola King - Aragon Housing Association
3. Southern region: Joy Burnett - Lewisham Homes

Winner: Nicola King - Aragon Housing Association
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Well known by staff, agency partners and young people as “Onion”, Nicola has worked for Aragon for over two years as youth and community participation officer. Nicola believes in listening to what Young People want and then work with them to realise their aspirations. Much of her recent work has intergenerational themes, bringing young and older people together.

4. Tenant Liaison Officer of the Year- Contractor

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

1. Northern region: Gill Shaw - Bramall Construction
2. Midlands region: Daryll Pritchett - Thomas Vale Construction
3. Southern region: Kelly Onley - MITIE Property Services

Winner: Kelly Onley - MITIE Property Services
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Kelly is a source of information and reassurance and a friend to share a cup of tea with. Her job includes everything from organising events to being a good listener, advisor and all-round friendly face. It's the little things she does that make a big difference.

5. Tenant of the Year

Sponsored by Wates Living Space

This award is looking for individuals who go beyond the call of duty, acting as local leaders, ensuring that the warm words around tenant involvement, translates into housing that people want to live in. They promote the concept of sustainable communities…

The regional winners had to show evidence of

• An understanding of the community and fellow tenant’s needs
• Being a ‘good tenant’
• Delivering real improvements to service delivery, or value for money
• Embracing and assisting the spread of innovative techniques and practices
• Communication between tenants and landlord/contractor
• A lasting legacy within the community

The regional winners and finalists are:

1. Northern: Angela Hulse & Margie Bennett - One Vision Housing
   
   

   Margie & Angela have gone from strength to strength during the last year. They are now trained as tenant inspectors and have taken an active part in the NTV consultation & the TSA National Conversation by training other tenants. They recently won “Bootle All together Award 2009“ a community award for Bootle 2009 and still continue to support their community by fundraising. Margie has secured funding to take isolated tenants out on various coach trips, whilst Angela goes along to help the vulnerable and disabled tenants.

   They both decided to get involved because they felt passionate about the homes they live in, and the young people who feel they have no hope for the future. Through working with the Brunswick Youth Club and active participation with One Vision Housing they have improved communication and engagement between tenant landlord and contractor.

   
   
2. Midlands: Mike Groom - Gloucester City Homes
   

   An exemplary tenant of Gloucester City Homes for 30 years Mike demonstrates his concern for the welfare of others by his tireless commitment to improving all aspects of community life. His actions and achievements over a period of 20 years have gained the lasting respect and gratitude of countless people throughout the community.

   
   
3. Southern region: Ian Capon - Media Housing Association
   
   

   Ian Capon despite his significant special needs, has been involved in tenant participation and community activities for over 25 years bringing a passion and dedication to everything he is involved in.

   
   

Winner: Mike Groom - Gloucester City Homes
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