It's Child's Play winning Participation “Oscar

Vineyard Vale Community Group proved that winning an award at the TPAS Cymru Participation Awards was Childs Play, by winning the “Tenant Participation Projects Award” at the 2008 TPAS Cymru Participation Awards held on Thursday 15th May 2008, at the Angel Hotel in Cardiff.

The TPAS Cymru Participation Awards, also known as the “Participation Oscars” celebrates and recognises the work of tenants and landlords in their communities who work together to make improvements to services and neighbourhoods.

Vineyard Vale Community Group aimed to turn the existing muddy, poorly equipped play area into a fully safe and secure pay area to be enjoyed by all the residents on their estate. The vision for the new play area was that it should cater for toddlers, older children, teenagers and people with learning and physical disabilities as well as parents and the elderly. The community group through fundraising events worked tirelessly to raise £20,000 needed. This figure was matched by a grant given by the Community Group. The much needed community facility was officially opened by their local MP.

The main sponsors of the Participation Awards are Wales & West Housing Association. Anne Hinchey, Chief Executive of Wales & West Housing Association said, “It’s always a pleasure to sponsor and support the TPAS Cymru Tenant Participation Awards. We have much to be proud of in Wales with the way in which tenants get involved in their community. As landlords, it’s important that we listen to tenants and learn from them. These awards are an opportunity to rightly reward those nominated by other tenants for the hard work and time they give to their community.”

The TPAS Cymru Participation Awards present an opportunity for Tenants and Landlords to be recognised for projects and participation efforts, and to share good practice across Wales. They are nominated by people in the communities where they operate. The judging of nominations is carried out by an independent panel of professionals working in the field of Housing.

This year TPAS Cymru received over 50 nominations for the nine Participation Awards categories, from across Wales. The submissions were of a high standard and they truly captured the attention of the judges, not only in terms of the written material and detailed explanation of projects but for the imaginative range of participation projects and initiatives being undertaken in the Principality.

John Drysdale, Director, TPAS Cymru said: “Winners of TPAS Cymru Participation Awards are always hugely pleased to have their effort and their achievements recognised. And they are right to be proud because their work is having a real beneficial impact in their communities.

Tenant participation is now established and recognised as essential to good running of housing and communities. But practices and resources still vary widely across Wales – some good and sometimes bad. The Participation Awards enable TPAS to find good examples and worthwhile lessons and to share them so that standards are raised throughout Wales. It’s great to be able to celebrate success!”