Aire Valley Homes Community Awards Finalists Announced

Published by JenCooke for National Federation of ALMOs in Housing and also in Communities

Aire Valley Homes, the arms-length management organisation (ALMO) responsible for over 15,000 homes in South and South East Leeds, has announced the finalists in its inaugural Community Awards programme recognising community champions whose actions and initiatives are making a real difference to people’s lives and their communities.

Among the finalists is Peter Dougal of Tingley, who, come rain or shine, is always there to lend a hand to his fellow neighbours. “An absolute treasure” says Jennie Vaughan, a happy neighbour who nominated Peter for the award, “we don’t have enough neighbours like Peter” said judge and Chief Executive of Aire Valley Homes, John Clark. Peter will always cut his neighbours lawn when cutting his own and ensures all the bins on the row are put out and taken back when empty. In the recent bad weather, he did a sterling job in clearing snow from neighbours’ footpaths.

Group of the Year finalist John O’Gaunts Tenants and Residents Association (TARA) has made a real difference in restoring pride to the area over the four years since its inception. The group has fully engaged the local residents to share their entrepreneurial ideas and encouraged them to become actively involved in a number of projects to improve the area. Through the various schemes and initiatives the John O’Gaunts TARA has instilled a sense of ownership in a community, that residents now take pride in.

Harry Gration, Look North presenter and former history teacher at Rodillian High School in Rothwell, South Leeds will host the Aire Valley Homes Community Awards. He said: “I am delighted to host the Aire Valley Homes Community Awards. There are hundreds of people in South Leeds who work tirelessly to improve the lives of their neighbours and build better communities. These Awards recognise all the hard work of these individuals and I am proud to be a part of it.”

The winners of the Aire Valley Homes Community Awards will be announced at a closed event, before an invited audience of local residents, Aire Valley Homes Directors and local media. A local community dance troop from Dance Action Zone Leeds (DAZL) will open the ceremony with a ‘dazzling’ performance. DAZL’s aim is to improve the mental and physical health of young people and the wider community in South Leeds through dance, by offering classes and arranging performances.

Councillor Peter Gruen said on behalf of the Board: “We received over 40 entries to the Awards and the quality has been excellent. By hosting these Awards I want to recognise the residents making a difference in their communities and give thanks to the people and projects who work so hard. I look forward to meeting these inspirational individuals.”

The Aire Valley Homes Community Awards have been made possible with the support of its sponsors Frank Haslam Milan and Cyril Sweett Group.

Established since 1928, Frank Haslam Milan (FHM) has grown into a progressive and forward thinking construction organisation providing a customer focused service to residents across Leeds.

Part of the Keepmoat group, they carry out maintenance, refurbishment and responsive repairs for the public sector as well as building new homes for rent and shared ownership, sheltered accommodation and schools.

One of the leading contractors in tenant participation, FHM ensures tenants and residents are fully involved in the decision making processes and are one of only four contractors to be re-awarded the Tenant Participation Advisory Service (TPAS) Contractor Quality Mark.

Cyril Sweett Group plc is an international construction and property consultancy offering expertise in quantity surveying, project management and a comprehensive range of specialist services such as health and safety consultancy, sustainability, building surveying, dispute resolution and contract advice.

The finalists in the Aire Valley Homes Community Awards are as follows:
Resident of the Year
Finalists
Pat Cashon
Sharna Ramsden
Peter Dougal

Young Resident of the Year
Finalists
Jay Smith
Nikki Ashraf
Sam Parry
 

Group of the Year
Finalists
John O’Gaunts TARA
Whiterose Residents Association
Denshaws and Newlands TARA

Best Community Initiative
Finalists
Teatime Club
SLATE South Leeds Alternative Trading Enterprise Hunslet

Aire Valley Homes Employee of the Year
Finalists
Helen Smithson, Tenancy Management Officer
Alan Thorpe, Customer Involvement Officer
Margaret Garrett, Tenancy Management Officer
Isobel Thorp, Supported Housing Officer

Special Recognition Award. All nominations entered in the other award categories were considered in this category and the winner will be announced at the ceremony.

For more information on the finalists please visit the Aire Valley Homes website: www.avhleeds.org.uk. The winners will be announced at a closed event on Friday 9 April.