Shortlist hat-trick for WWHA in Welsh Housing Awards

Published by Sarah Manners for Wales & West Housing Association in Housing and also in Communities

WALES & WEST HOUSING ASSOCIATION is celebrating a hat-trick with three entries shortlisted for this year’s Welsh Housing Awards.

Bridgend based scheme manager Lucy Clewlow has been shortlisted for the Outstanding Academic Achievement Award.

Merthyr Tydfil-based WWHA Board member David Davies has been shortlisted in the Housing Hero category.

And the WWHA team behind Stoneleigh Manor More Options Homelessness Project in Powys have been shortlisted for the ‘Making Best Use of Stock’ award.

Anne Hinchey, Chief Executive of WWHA, said: “I am thrilled for Lucy, David and the Stoneleigh Manor team to have been shortlisted for these prestigious awards.

“Each and every one of them has worked so hard, either on an individual basis, or as part of a team, to do the very best they can for our residents, and WWHA as a whole.

“We are all very proud of them and are keeping everything crossed for them on the night.”

The overall winners will be revealed on Friday, November 25^th, at a red carpet ceremony in The Vale Resort, outside Cardiff.

“I can’t believe that I have been shortlisted,” said Lucy Clewlow, scheme manager at WWHA’s Cwrt Anghorfa retirement scheme in Pyle, Bridgend. “I wanted to complete the course so much, I just did what was necessary in the circumstances. I am really, really thrilled!”

Sarah O’Keefe, Supporting People Officer with WWHA, led the Stoneleigh Manor project, which provides a state-of-the-art fresh start for people facing homelessness in Powys.

"On behalf of WWHA and key strategic partners in commissioning Stoneleigh Manor we are really pleased to have been shortlisted,” said Sarah, who worked in partnership with Powys County Council (Supporting People and Homeless Prevention and Housing Options Team) and Cefni Lettings on this ground-breaking initiative.

“We’ve overcome a number of issues to make this project happen and to be nominated for an award is the icing on the cake,” she said.

“I was really surprised to find that I have been shortlisted for this award” said David Davies, a member of the Ty Pontrhun Residents Association in Merthyr Tydfil, and stalwart of the WWHA Board.

“I don’t think I’m doing anything extra special,” he added. “We’ve got a flourishing residents association here at Ty Pontrhun, and I think the whole thing is a reflection of how good Wales & West really is.”

Keith Edwards, Director of the Chartered Institute of Housing Cymru, who run the awards, said:  “The quality of the applications demonstrates the fantastic work being undertaken to go that extra mile to make a real difference to communities and workplace -  these awards are a true reflection of the hard work that goes on in communities every day in providing excellent services to improve peoples' lives.” 

In addition to these three shortlisted entries in the Welsh Housing Awards, WWHA also has its Powell Road Eco-Friendly Regeneration Project in Flintshire shortlisted for a top CIH UK Housing Award, while WWHA retirement scheme Sydney Hall Court in Connah's Quay has been shortlisted in The Cinnamon Trust's top five pet-friendly retirement schemes in the UK.