livin SHORTLISTED FOR NATIONAL AWARD

Published by sbhlthompson for Livin in Housing and also in Communities

Homes and communities organisation, livin, has made it through to the final round of a national competition that highlights the important community work carried out by social landlords above and beyond providing homes.

The Community Impact Awards, organised by the National Housing Federation, recognise a vast range of neighbourhood projects run by housing associations from anti-social behaviour initiatives to support for older people.

Employment initiative, livin futures, was shortlisted by a panel of tenant judges for its commitment to not only offering real jobs locally but its aim to build sustainable communities by tackling worklessness through innovative partnership working.

Established in 2010 the project has already employed over 35 people putting them into long-term employment with a 100 per cent retention rate and running training courses and workshops offering real qualifications and experience. In addition to this, livin appointed a dedicated employability officer to work on the project full-time providing one-to-one mentoring to participants by working closely with a number of other organisation to provide further opportunities.

The best in category and overall regional winner will be announced at the regional awards ceremony which will be held at the Copthorne Hotel in Newcastle on 24October.

Colin Steel, chief executive of livin, said: “We believe one of our unique offers is that we can provide our tenants and people livin in our communities an opportunity to secure real jobs that will make a real difference to their lives.

“By working in partnership with a number of other organisations we have been able to substantially increase the number of vacancies available to tenants and offer a valuable worked based training and work experience.

“We are delighted to be recognised for this work and it makes it even more special that we have been shortlisted by a panel of residents living in social housing – they know first-hand the difference housing associations can make.” 

The national winner of the Community Impact Awards, which are sponsored by Morrison and 24housing magazine, will be announced early next year.