TPAS shines a light on national excellence

Examples of best practice and inspirational work to improve people’s lives were celebrated at the national Tenant Participation Advisory Service (TPAS) Awards.

The ceremony was part of TPAS’s annual national conference held at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole and recognised the efforts of tenants, landlords and contractors who have all improved people’s lives and communities.

The coveted Tenant of the Year award was won by Pat Fordham of Phoenix Community Housing. Fordham, aged 67, has been a voluntary ‘community activist’ for 22 years, progressing onto numerous housing boards and committees organised by Lewisham Council, including being chair of the Tenant’s Strategy Group.

Christine Doyle of Knowsley Housing Trust and Dorothy Bloor of Moorlands Housing were highly commended runners-up.

One Vision Housing’s Matt Smith became the first TPAS Young Tenant of the Year in recognition of the enormous amount of work he carries out for his community. His efforts create opportunities for others and his knowledge and expertise enable him to work as a youth engagement consultant as well as chairing One Vision Housing’s Youth Forum.

Another new award which acknowledges equality and diversity work was won by Gateshead Housing Company for its Single Equality Scheme that ‘embraces equality’ both as an employer and service provider and was developed with tenants, leaseholders, employees and stakeholders.

The Best Practice in the Community title was won by the Merseyside Residents Network for its Door Step Project in partnership with contractor Morrison. This project, which was carried out across Merseyside and Manchester, has given 1,500 vulnerable tenants the confidence to open their front door to callers, in the knowledge that they will be safe while doing so.

Stockport Homes’ H3 Group is a constituted group of current and ex-residents of Stockport Homes’ Temporary Accommodation schemes that provide innovative and inclusive ways of supporting residents to make decisions about how the schemes operate. They were rewarded with the Best Practice in Supporting People Award for its ‘Helping the homeless into Housing’ initiative.

Judges were impressed with the way young people are taking the initiative to work together, supported by their landlord to transform their local multi-use games area to enhance the lives of the local area and community.
TPAS recognised the way City West put tenants’ welfare at the forefront of its emergency response and went over and above what was expected to make sure the needs of customers were taken care of. .
TPAS chief executive, Michelle Reid, said: “I’m once again amazed at the standard of all the entries to this year’s awards.”

“It is very humbling to listen to the stories behind the awards. The efforts people go to because they genuinely care and want to improve people’s lives is a lesson to us all and the winners and all those shortlisted thoroughly deserve this recognition.”

“We are lucky to have so many inspirational and committed people working - often voluntarily - to make things better for communities. Well done to everyone.”