Stockport Homes shortlisted for National Housing Award

Published by Cheryl Harrison for Stockport Homes in Housing and also in Communities, Education

Finalists in the fifth annual awards programme have been announced by the National Federation of ALMOs (NFA) whose 63 member organisations manage almost one million council owned properties across England. 

Stockport Homes were shortlisted under the category ‘Most Effective Partnership’ for their work on ‘Making a Difference Together in Offerton’ Project in partnership with residents, Friends of Offerton, Stockport Council, Greater Manchester Police and a range of services working within Offerton.

The project focuses on a range of issues that impact on the quality of life and wellbeing of residents, from the environment, community safety, children and young people, education, employment and improving community cohesion 

A range of exciting physical and community regeneration projects have been delivered from community clean ups to Sports Days, environmental improvements, community forums and training workshops. The project has had a really positive impact in Offerton and is helping to develop and build sustainable relationships between individuals living in the community and voluntary groups and organisations working in Offerton.

April Higson, Director of Housing Management said of being shortlisted for the prestigious award: “I’m really proud that we have been recognised for our partnership working. It’s part of Stockport Homes’ ethos to work in partnership with its customers and other agencies to help make Stockport a great place to live and work.”

The NFA awards are designed to recognise and celebrate the hard work and achievements of ALMO tenants and residents. The awards honour the individuals and groups who do so much at ground level to improve the lives of their neighbours and the communities in which they live.

The award submissions were judged by an independent panel consisting of Alison Inman, Chair of the National Federation of ALMOs; Michael Gelling, Chair of TAROE (Tenants and Residents Organisations of England); Michelle Reid, Chief Executive of TPAS (Tenant Participation Advisory Service); and Stuart MacDonald, Editor of Inside Housing magazine.

The winners will be announced at a ceremony held at the Midland Hotel in Manchester on 12 July as part of the NFA’s annual two-day conference. 

The finalists in full are:

Most Effective Partnership
Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing – ‘Breaking In, Saving Lives’ Project
Stockport Homes – ‘Making a Difference Together in Offerton’ Project
CityWest Homes – ‘Westminster Works’ Project

Best Community Initiative - Sponsored by British Gas 
Derby Homes – Arboretum Community Initiative
Ashfield Homes – Spade Aid
Homes for Islington – Soul in the City Festival

Most Outstanding Resident - sponsored by Kier Building Maintenance 
Berneslai Homes – Elsie Smith
CityWest Homes – Sue Walsh
Hackney Homes – Tony Osborne

Most Innovative Project
Newark and Sherwood - Retrofit
West North West Homes, Leeds – ‘On Your Bike’ Project
Blackpool Coastal Housing - The BCH Academy

ALMO Team Member of the Year
Hounslow Homes – Ian McGee
Derby Homes – Liz Wilcox
Homes for Haringey – Mary Keane

Best Use of Communication - Sponsored by Acceleris Marketing Communications 
Nottingham City Homes – ‘The Recipe for Making BREAD’ Project
Northwards Housing – We Love Complaints
Derby Homes – ‘Its Not Good Enough’ DVD

Board Member of the Year
East Durham Homes - Marion Brunskill
Berneslai Homes - Clair Wright
South Tyneside Homes - Joyce Welsh

Most Outstanding Young Person
Homes for Haringey – Derekston James
Homes for Northumberland – Stephen Stanners
South Essex Homes – Zoe Kelly
Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing – Jess Cullen
Hounslow Homes – Torron-Lee Dewar