Connecting People Awards 2007/2008

Axiom Housing Association is delighted to learn that David and Sandra McKinnon of Axiom's Sheltered Housing Scheme at Kestrel Court in South Bretton have been nominated for a TPAS Connecting People Award.Denise Smith, Sheltered Housing Manager, who nominated the McKinnon's for the award said;

"I nominated Sandra and David because their ongoing efforts have made a considerable difference, not only to the lives of the other residents at Kestrel Court, but also to their families and the local community".

Kestrel Court is a sheltered housing scheme of 28 flats in South Bretton, Peterborough and has all the communal facilities you would expect, but with the added benefit of considerable front and rear gardens.

Two years ago the McKinnon's took it upon themselves to set up a gardening club, which on face value was quite a suggestion, as neither of them at the time were particularly keen gardeners!

They invited other residents to join in and enlisted their support and help; and so the Gardening Club was born.

Through their amazing efforts in 2007 Kestrel Court won the Peterborough in Bloom Competition for the Best Street Category - a real accolade to them and all the other residents who helped.

Louise Laudat, Scheme Manager at Kestrel Court, said "To sum up, this couple through their selfless actions have really changed the ethos of what essentially is traditional accommodation for older people. They have injected life into the heart of the scheme which has permeated through to other residents, their families and the local community".

"They have demonstrated that life does not cease in retirement and have provided a means for other residents less able or active to get involved in caring for their environment in what ever way they are able".

Denise Smith added "The nomination for Sandra and David under the green project/initiative in the community award for the Eastern Region, has been shortlisted down to two, from nine nominations".

"We are thrilled for them".

The Connecting People Awards run by Excel Publishing, with Northern, Midlands and Southern Housing Magazine and the Tenant Participation and Advisory Service (TPAS) will be held in London on 13 March.

The winners from each Region will then go through to the national final and winners will be announced at the TPAS Annual Conference in August.

We wish Sandra and David McKinnon, as well as the Kestrel Court Gardening Club, much luck.