LMH celebrates excellence at Focus Awards

Published by Jean Clarke for Liverpool Mutual Homes in Housing and also in Communities

Inspirational tenants, staff members and organisations that go beyond the call of duty to improve people’s lives and communities were recognised at our Focus Awards.

The event at the Isla Gladstone Conservatory in Stanley Park celebrated best practice across the city with some 13 awards handed out.

The coveted Neighbour of the Year title was won by Nancy Burke.

Nancy is always first in line when it comes to promoting involvement at Meadow Court, Woolton where she lives, organising regular social events for her fellow residents whether on site or on trips out.

LMH recognised the amount of time she spends working to improve her local community and make everyone’s lives brighter and better.  She provides valuable advice, help and support and is always there for residents and always smiling.

New for 2011 was the Young Person of the Year award, which was won by Nicola Taggart who graduated from Liverpool University last year with a degree in art. 

Nicola was brought up on the Westminster Estate in Kirkdale and recently project managed and delivered a beautiful mural art project in the neighbourhood where she now has her own tenancy.

The project has seen communal yards brightened up, activities provided for young people through the summer and the community brought together with a sense of pride for what they have achieved.

Chief Executive at LMH, Steve Coffey, said: “The standard of the winners and shortlisted nominations never fails to amaze me and seems to get better and better every year.

“The people, teams and organisations nominated are making a huge difference to communities and I’m delighted LMH is able to recognise and celebrate all this great work. 

“It is nothing short of exceptional and LMH is very proud to have such fantastic people working with us, they are a vital part of our organisation.”

The Tenant Group of the Year award was won by the Rock Grove Tenants’ and Residents’ Group.

The group worked closely with LMH to develop a major improvement programme for their homes, taking control of the office, holding weekly surgeries and producing regular newsletters to ensure all residents were kept informed throughout the process.

The local area had experienced extreme anti-social behaviour issues in the past.  The group has played a pivotal role alongside LMH, the police and other partners to improve the situation by developing a Good Neighbour Agreement and Local Lettings policy for the estate.

The Best Value Award for a Group or Project was won by LMH’s Regeneration Team after generating additional value to LMH and showing significant results within our neighbourhoods. 

Working within the LMH Neighbourhood Plans budget, the team created an added value of over £900,000 through matched funding and maximising resources. 

To ensure a consistent approach in allocating funds the team developed a successful scoring matrix which measures values against outputs, ensuring each initiative is focussed on benefiting customers and neighbourhoods whilst ensuring value for money.

Here is the full list of winners:

• Improvement Award for a Group: Mystery Shoppers / Tenant Inspectors;
• Improvement Award for an Individual: Ian Fyfe;
• Partnership Award: LMH TV;
• Unity Award for a group or organisation: The Prince’s Trust;
• Unity Award for an Individual: Tracey Gore;
• Team of the Year: North West Team;
• Staff Member of the Year: Lynsey Watson;
• Team Leader of the Year: Kathy Duffy;
• Best Value Award for a Group or Project: The Regeneration Team;
• Best Value Award for an Individual: Vicky Duckworth;
• Tenant Group of the Year: Rock Grove Tenants’ and Residents’ Group;
• Neighbour of the Year: Nancy Burke;
• Young Person of the Year: Nicola Taggart.

 Photograph: Nicola Taggart won the Young Person of the Year award.