Celebrating community spirit with WWH

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

Wales & West Housing held its fifth annual Making A Difference Awards last Friday (October 19th) and once again it proved to be a fantastic night.

A total of 159 residents, staff and contractor partners from across Wales attended the gala dinner at the Village Hotel, Coryton, Cardiff, and the winners are as follows:

• Good Neighbour – Val Terry, St Catherine’s Court, Caerphilly
• Fresh Start – Keith Roberts, Hanover Court, Llandudno
• Fresh Start (New Build) – Gordon Barlow, Nant y Mor, Prestatyn
• Eco Champion – Eric Fitton and Charlie Adams, Nant y Mor, Prestatyn
• Green Fingers (Retirement) – Margaret Ingram-Williams, Limebourne Court, Cardiff
• Green Fingers (General Needs) – Caia Gardens, Wrexham
• Community Project – June and Roly Foster, formerly Nant y Mor, Prestatyn
• David Taylor Local Hero Award – Andrew Hurd, Bronrhiw Fach, Caerphilly

In addition, WWH's two resident Paralympic athletes, 17-year-old Jordan Howe from St Mellons, Cardiff, and Robert Davies, 28, of Brecon, both received Special Inspiration Awards.

Anne Hinchey, Chief Executive of WWH, says: "Our mission is strong, sustainable growth to make a difference to people’s lives, homes and communities, and our MAD Awards provide a real insight into some of the ways this is being achieved."

Sarah Manners, PR & Marketing Manager for WWH said: "We had almost 60 high quality entries from across Wales this year, a very pleasing figure, and a real demonstration of just how well so many of our staff really know their residents.

"This year also we benefitted from superb support from many of our contractors with 11 providing a very significant contribution to this year’s MAD budget. We thank them all for their support especially in this difficult economic climate."

Contractor sponsors for WWH's MAD Awards 2012 were: GKR Maintenance Ltd, Solar Windows Ltd, CJS Electrical, British Gas / PH Jones, Anwyl Construction, Ian Williams, Wates Living Space, City Satellite, Cambria Maintenance Services, the Symphony Group, and, SMK Building & Maintenance Ltd.

Post-dinner entertainment was provided by local close harmony trio The Siren Sisters.

A short film about the event will be uploaded on WWH's website www.wwha.co.uk and on YouTube very shortly.

Finally, WWH's MAD Awards has itself has won an award. WWH's PR & Marketing team took home the Best Event in Wales Award 2012 at Community Housing Cymru's PR Network Awards this autumn.