Connaught named Team of the Year at Business in the Community awards » Housing » 24dash.com

Connaught, leading provider of housing maintenance and estate management services to the social housing market, has been awarded Team of the Year by Business in The Community, for community impact in the south-west, last night.

Connaught scooped the team of the year award at the BiTC awards for their Ashton Vale Club for Young People refurbishment in Bristol, in what is being hailed as the largest project of its kind in the south-west.

Business in the Community's Awards for Excellence are prestigious UK awards recognising companies for integrating responsible business practice into their mainstream operations resulting in a positive impact in the marketplace, the workplace, the environment and the community.

Team of the year recognises the commitment the team made and the team skills developed, while making an impact in the local community.

Lee Williams, Young Bristol Clubs Support Manager, said: “This Award is justly deserved for the commitment Connaught has shown to one of the forgotten areas of the City, namely Ashton Vale and in particular the young people who use the refurbished Youth Centre in ever increasing numbers.

"Although the project has been completed, Connaught remain in contact with us and continue to take an active interest in the Clubs activities. This speaks volumes for the Company, its culture and its employees who committed in excess of £180K towards this refurbishment project and are now working with our National Organisation to do similar projects in other areas of the Country.

"I would also like to thank BITC for the excellent work they did in matching us with Connaught.”

Now boasting a hardcourt, IT suite, games room, hot food facility, chill out room enhanced security, Ashton Vale club for Young People is now a warm and safe facility. The centre has one year on, gained further funding from Bristol City council as a recognised youth provision.

The increased 300 strong membership enjoys dedicated club junior and senior sessions three nights a week, with additional holiday activities. Football is a key sport at the centre, enjoying a refurbished courts and neighbouring Bristol city FC have started to link their games with sessions at the club.

Connaught’s Academy director Dave Reynolds say: “Connaught’s Community challenges enable us to apply our practical skills and knowledge as a social housing provider, to leave positive and lasting legacies in areas that are in much need of restoration.

"Community engagement was a key factor in our in-house training programme. Whilst we recognise this may not always be easy to quantify, we know it's will be impact is invaluable and long-lasting.”

The project involved 65 Connaught first line-managers over 9 months and was officially opened by the Duke of Gloucestershire last September.