NFA Awards 2015 - ALMOs€¦ · Improving the private rented sector offer 10 ... When it comes to finding new and innovative ways of working and ingenious ways of overcoming the challenges

Shining Stars

NFA Award Winners and Finalists 2015

Media partner

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Contents

Foreword 3

The judges and sponsors 4

Best New Build Scheme 6

Creating greener homes and reducing fuel poverty 8

Improving the private rented sector offer 10

Tackling worklessness and supporting social enterprise 12

Helping tenants manage the impact of welfare reform 14

Most innovative resident engagement initiative 16

Most effective communications campaign 18

Integrating housing, care and support 20

Apprentice of the Year 21

Summary of Award winners and finalists 2015 24

Author: Joanne Kent-Smith National Federation of ALMOs

Contributions: Jamie Angus Wolverhampton Homes

Design: Jeremy Spencer

This brochure was kindly produced by Resource Housing

Cover images: Colory/Brad Pict/fotolia.com

Published by the National Federation of ALMOs © NFA July 2015

NFA – National Federation of ALMOsOctavia House, Westwood Way, Coventry, CV4 8JPtelephone: 024 7685 1729email: [email protected]

@nfa_almos

Shining StarsNFA Award Winners and Finalists 2015

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Foreword

When it comes to finding new and innovative ways of working and ingenious ways ofovercoming the challenges we face in the housing sector – I’m always amazed at howALMOs rise to the occasion, year-after-year.

This will be my fourth and final introduction to the annual NFA Awards – and each year,the standard of entries just keeps getting better and better. What’s more I’m delighted tosee that we’ve had a record number of entries this year too!

The past twelve months have been some of the most exciting for the ALMO movement;from housing rallies and elections to meeting the challenges of welfare reforms andoverseeing the building of hundreds of new homes; we’ve continued to show the widersector that we’re a shining light of innovation and best practice.

For council tenants up and down the country, the past twelve months haven’t been easy. Thousands of tenants arevisiting foodbanks, and the so-called economic recovery is yet to be really felt on many of our estates across the country.Families are struggling to make ends meet yet the public perception of tenants has possibly never been so negativethanks in no small part to the likes of Channel Four and the makers of ‘shockumentaries’ like Benefits Street and How

To Get A Council House.

But it’s far from doom and gloom. We’ve been fighting back the tide of negativity and tackling these perceptions, which iswhy I’m so pleased to see so many entries in our new category which looks at how ALMOs are promoting positiveimages of tenants and social housing.

When it comes to providing tenants with skills, training and job opportunities – ALMOs have been doing some incrediblework. You can’t help but feel immensely proud when you read through the entries for this year’s apprentice of the yearcategory. Some of the personal stories are truly inspiring and it’s a wonderful feeling to know that more than ten years onsince ALMOs were formed, we’re still helping to improve real peoples’ lives. And it’s why I’m so pleased that the CIH issupporting this year’s apprentice of the year award with the winner getting a free CIH training course of their choice.

This might be my final NFA conference as Chair – but when I look back over this year’s awards entries it makes me realisethat we’ve got an awful lot to be proud of and I’ve got a sneaky suspicion that next year’s will be even better!

Sue Roberts MBE

Chair National Federation of ALMOs

@SueR10


The judges and sponsors

This year’s independent judges were each invited to judge our awards in recognition of their valued knowledge, personalexperience and expertise within the housing sector, and their on-going support to the NFA and the ALMO world.

The NFA would therefore like to extend its sincere thanks for the time and effort each of the judges has given to thejudging process, and for their expert opinions on judging day. Judging Awards is never an easy task, and this years NFAAwards, was no exception. With more than 90 entries to choose from shortlisting, and selecting this years finalists waschallenging, but we hope you agree the winning entries are each worthy of the accolade.

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Michael Gelling OBE CIHM Hon

Michael has been a member of the TAROE board since it formed in 1997. Michael has beenChairperson of TAROE since 2003, standing down from this position between April andNovember 2010, when he was appointed by Government to Chair the short lived NationalTenants Voice

Michael served as local councillor for a 16 year period and held various key positions, givinghim a broad understanding the workings of local authorities. Michael also served for 6 yearson the Housing Ombudsman Service Board filling a position of a Tenant Director through hismembership of TAROE. Michael is also a tenant rights Advocate representing tenants who

have issues with local Social and Private Landlords and is involved in many voluntary and community groups where helives, including the Halton Community Partnership Trust.

Adam Ronaldson, Deputy Chair, PlaceShapers

Adam is Chief Executive of Saffron Housing Trust which is celebrating its10th Anniversarythis year. He is currently Deputy Chair of PlaceShapers and a member of the NationalHousing Federation’s Eastern Region Committee.

Adam was part of the team who successfully launched a bond of £125 million in 2013which will support Saffron’s continuing development programme in East Anglia. Prior toSaffron, Adam worked in the motor industry in Switzerland.

Domini Gunn, Director of Health and Wellbeing, CIH Consultancy

Domini is working across the sector, and with health and social care, to ensure a greaterrecognition of the contribution of good quality housing and support to achieving improvedhealth and wellbeing for individuals and communities. Domini is leading on thedevelopment and delivery of a wide range of CIH tools and products to support thehousing sector.

Prior to joining CIH in 2011 Domini worked at the Audit Commission as the national leadfor vulnerable communities and a lead housing inspector. Domini chaired the Home fromHospital Advisory Group and is a trustee of Care & Repair and the Extra Care Charitable

Trust. She has had papers published in a number of journals and participated in international projects in Ireland, Poland,France, Spain, Germany and Nicaragua.


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Jon Land, 24housing EditorAn experienced journalist and editor, Jon has been writing about social housing and thepublic sector since 2005 when he set up the successful 24dash.com news website.

Since 2010 Jon has been Editor of 24housing, the monthly magazine for housingprofessionals, where he earned a reputation as a respected and irreverent commentatorknown for his housing knowledge and comprehensive contact book.

As part of a self-sufficient business unit within a much bigger company, Jon has experienceof working at senior manager level within a private sector business and holds more than 15years’ experience as a manager.

Andrew Eagles, Managing Director, Sustainable HomesAndrew is currently the managing director of Sustainable Homes, formely he was theinnovation and development manager at Housing Corporation, Andrew is also a trainer ofCode for Sustainable Homes assessors.

Andrew sat or is sitting on the following steering groups:• London Climate Change Partnership – group of including the GLA, Transport for London,

Association of British Insurers, London Climate Change Agency.• Senior Steering Group on the Code for Sustainable Homes which developed the Code

technical guidance• Housing Corporation Gold Award champion on sustainability.


To each of the Award Sponsors we would like to say a big ‘thank you’. Not only for your support as sponsors for

this years awards, but for your continued commitment to the ALMOs sector - working closely with us to develop

and deliver excellent products and services for our tenants and communities.

SponsorsThe NFA would also like to thank Willmott Dixon for sponsoring the Awards Drinks Reception again this year, and

helping to make the Awards Ceremony an enjoyable occasion. Thanks also are extended to Jon land and his team

at 24Housing Media Partners for this year’s Annual Conference and Awards.

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Best New Build Scheme

Award Winner Derby Homes: OSCAR community led development

Finalist Blackpool Coastal Housing: Queens Park maisonettes. The tenant mix was predominantly male with a high

preponderance of alcohol, drug and mental health problems.

Stabilising the community is a key priority for Blackpool as it

seeks to reduce the extreme levels of transience and social and

economic deprivation.

The new development proposal of 198 new homes sought to

create a mix of property types that would appeal to families.

Lovell’s, won the selection process with the quality of

development indistinguishable from the best the private sector is

offering for sale. The development is high density to make best

use of the land available, but also fits with the surrounding street

pattern and building design.

The Queens Park scheme represents a major strategic

investment for Blackpool. The cost to Blackpool Coastal Housing

and the HRA of £22m has been accommodated through a

mixture of reallocated capital programme, available HRA

headroom, and Blackpool Coastal Housing reserves. The HCA

has supported the development though its Affordable Homes

programme to the tune of £1.5m.

Contact: [email protected]

OSCAR (Osmaston CommunityAssociation of Residents) was formed inJanuary 2011 to deliver the communityled regeneration of an area, includingderelict land formerly occupied by Rolls-Royce. Derby Homes supportedresidents in the formation of the

association, and provided a communityoffice and a dedicated officer to assist.Working in partnership with Derby Homes,Derby City Council and Strata Homes,OSCAR developed the OsmastonRegeneration Partnership to manage anddeliver this new build development.

The composition of this new build site

was carefully considered, prior to

development, there were no one-

bedroomed properties for rent in the

area, and just three bungalows. Of the

95 new houses built so far, 40 are social

housing properties – ten bungalows and

thirty – one or two bedroomed houses.

The development of smaller properties

has created downsizing opportunities, in

turn, releasing a number of three-

bedroomed homes for families.

In addition to £1.1million funding from

the HCA, OSCAR secured a low-cost

loan from Derby City Council. The

council also transferred the development

land to OSCAR on a 125 year lease at a

peppercorn rent, with an option for

OSCAR to buy the freehold in 30 years.

Contact:

[email protected]

Sponsor: Campbell Tickell

Back in 2012, Blackpool Coastal Housing was managing 495

units within 5 tower blocks in the 8th most deprived area in

England. The estate suffered from extremely high turnover .

The stock profile on Queens Park was heavily biased toward

single people, made up of tower blocks, surrounded by

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Campbell Tickell is amulti-disciplinarymanagement consultancy focusing onhousing, regeneration, and social care, andworking across theUK.

We haveworkedwith the greatmajority of ALMOs on awide range of assignments.Whatever challenge you face, we can help.

Onestopshop

At the heart of housing and care

[email protected] | @campbelltickel1 | Tel: 020 8830 6777 | www.campbelltickell.com

Governance and corporate strategy

Financial and business planning

Development and regeneration

Strategic assetmanagement

Newbusiness development

Interim/projectmanagement

Value formoney reviews

PR and communications

HR and recruitment

Resident scrutiny

Shared services

Board training

Congratulations to

all the finalists in the

NFAAwards 2015

Finalist Lewisham Homes: Atlas Mews In March 2015, Lewisham Homes welcomed six new familiesinto the first council housing built in the borough for 30 years.Lewisham Homes is the development agent for LewishamCouncil for the New Homes Better Places programme, whichaims to build 500 council homes over five years.

Atlas Mews are the first six homes to be completed under theprogramme and replaced dilapidated garages. Each of the twoand three bedroomed homes has a private garden with a securebike store.

The greatest housing need currently in Lewisham is for twobedroom homes. At the time of this award more than 250homeless families are waiting in expensive nightly paidaccommodation for two bedroom homes to become available.The average cost of each placement is £4480 to LewishamCouncil. When letting the new homes, priority was given tofamilies needing to move to smaller homes, this created furtheropportunities for homeless families. On the ground LewishamHomes have built six new homes, adding 16 more bedrooms tothe borough. However, by allocating these bedrooms to familiesneeding to move to smaller homes a further 20 bedrooms havebecome available.

A YouTube video clip showing time-lapse of homes being builtand new residents can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmFMw3JJ8ps


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Creating greener homesand reducing fuel poverty

Sponsor:Utilita Energy

Award Winner Poole Housing Partnership: Sterte Court Development

Finalist Solihull Community Housing: Chelmsley Wood Solihull Community Homes has completed an ambitiousenergy saving programme across 32 high rise buildings inChelmsley Wood. The £29m investment involved external wallinsulation (EWI) being wrapped to all of the blocks and theinstallation of new biomass heating in 23 of the blocks. Work hasbeen carried out in conjunction with British Gas and is believed tobe the first of its kind to be tackled on such a scale in the UK.

Early funding negotiation through the Energy Companies’Obligation (ECO) and the Community Energy Savings Programme(CESP) mean that Solihull Community Homes effectively paid £1for the EWI and £1 for the biomass heating. Investment in thewider investment in the wider energy investment programme wasover £2m and included external lighting, smart door entry fobsystems and communal windows. Environmentally the EWI ispredicted to save 100,000 metric tons of carbon over its projectedlifetime of 30 years.


Increasing living space by 19% andslashing energy bills by 30% soundsambitious, but thanks to its creativity anddetermination, Poole HousingPartnership has achieved just that forover 100 residents.

In early 2015, Poole Housing Partnershipcompleted a major refurbishment to its60-year-old Sterte Court development –two 10-storey towers and two four-

storey blocks. The project aimed toprovide buildings that as well as beingenergy efficient are visually appealing andwill not require any major external worksfor a minimum period of thirty years.

Work involved the transformation of smallunusable balconies to large glasscovered rooms, allowing a variety offunctions, while still retaining contact withthe outside world. Each balcony, with

self-cleaning glass, has provided over9m2 of usable external space. Livingspace has increased by 19% for eachone-bedroom flat and 14% for the two-bedroom flats. Balconies can be fullyenclosed enabling space used in anyweather.

The £7.5 million project, completed inMay 2015, also encompasses therenewal of existing cladding, and theinstallation of a fibre optic TV service,Photovoltaic panels power communallifts and all communal lighting. PooleHousing Partnership held an initialbudget of £6.9 million and worked withits main contractor, and via the EnergySavings Alliance, to secure additionalfunding including:

• £40,000 Green Deal

• £144,690 ECO Funding

• £339,000 Energy Savings TrustFunding.

Satisfaction with the completed work is 97%.


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Finalist Stockport Homes: Renewable Energy Over the past 5 years Stockport Homes has been retrofittingrenewable energy technology to help customers with their energybills and driving forward environmental protection. A third ofStockport Homes customers now benefit from renewable energytechnology.

The project was partly funded from the Community Energy SavingProgramme and delivered in partnership with British Gas. It includedremoving electric storage heaters, installing a biomass districtheating system, new thermal over-cladding and more energyefficient windows. More recently, £14m funding was securedthrough the Energy Companies Obligation programme to deliverdistrict heating upgrades.

Under the Renewable Heat Incentive, Stockport Homes hasreceived a first payment of £33,500, and it is anticipated to generateincome of approximately £10.5m over the next 20 years. Thisincome is ring-fenced to invest in future energy efficiency measures.

Stockport Homes has an annual biomass fuel demand of over9,000 tonnes, which has prompted the ALMO to make the decisionto invest in their own supply and is now planning local wood fuelharvesting and processing.


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Improving the private rented sector offer

Award Winner St Leger Homes of Doncaster: St Leger Lettings

St Leger Lettings is the new social

lettings agency delivered through St.

Leger Homes. It builds on the success

of a previous scheme that helps

landlords bring empty properties back

into use. The initiative raises

rental sector standards by providing a

hassle free service for property owners

and offering a range of homes for

people that need affordable rented

accommodation. Currently 74 private

rental properties are managed by the

scheme. All properties are let at Local

Housing Allowance rates which are

lower than Doncaster’s average private

market rent.

St Leger Lettings provides a

professional management service to

private landlords. Experienced staff

handle all aspects of property

management including; finding and

vetting tenants, managing rent

accounts, undertaking repairs and

managing incidents of . anti-social

behaviour.

St Leger Lettings ensures that all

properties managed are well

maintained, clean, safe and secure,

undertaking inspections on all

properties to ensure that they

continue to meet good standards.

Where appropriate, St Leger Homes

of Doncaster can help property

owners to access grant funding of up

to £12,000 which must be used on

property improvements to bring the

condition of the house up to the

required standard.

St Leger Homes also run a Purchase

and Repair Scheme in association

with the council which brings homes

that have stood empty for more than

six months back into use - whereby

the property is purchased by the

council and managed by the ALMO.

Currently St Leger Lettings is funded

from St. Leger Homes’ management

fee. Fees have recently been

reviewed to ensure that going forward

the service will become financially

self-sufficient.

Contact:

[email protected]

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Finalist Stockport Homes: Social Letting ServiceStockport Homes’ Social Lettings Service offers vulnerable

people on low incomes access to good quality, private rented

accommodation. The service has improved affordability for

customers by reducing the need for high upfront deposits.

The service offers landlords a competitively priced alternative to

high street lettings agencies. Most of those who use the service

are ‘accidental’ landlords, having acquired one property through

inheritance or a change in their living arrangements. Stockport

Homes’ comprehensive expertise in dealing with tenancy

management and maintenance issues not only gives landlords

the support they need to be ‘good’ landlords, but a quality 24hr

repair service and access to a ready supply of prospective

tenants ensuring quick turnaround and minimal rent loss.

The service supports Council objectives by both improving the

quality and standards of the private rented sector and by

reducing pressure on homelessness services. This has been

achieved partly through supporting landlords with small

portfolios, but also through its role in bringing empty homes

back into use.

Stockport Homes offer two levels of service to landlords,

the Tenant Find Service and the Full Management Service.

Landlords are not required to pay start up or renew fees that

high street agents charge which acts as an additional incentive.


Finalist Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing: Property Management Servicefull tenancy management service. Landlords pay a percentage ofthe weekly rent as a fee. No fees are charged to the tenant inadvance of them taking up a tenancy.

Advantages include:

• owners have security and peace of mind that their propertywill be well looked after and the tenancy actively managed

• Private rented sector tenants have access to the sameservices available to council tenants – such as legaltenancies; debt and money advice; handyperson services

• Tenants also have access to local bond guarantee schemes

Working closely with the Council’s Housing Solutions team andFusion Housing means tenants who are threatened withhomelessness can be identified and offered a private propertymanaged by the scheme. All managed properties are within LHAlimits, so tenants can access help with their rent, as well ashaving access to the Kirklees Council bond bank, meaning thattenants do not have to find rent in advance.


In response to high demand for housing, KirkleesNeighbourhood Housing has developed a letting andmanagement service for private sector properties. The propertymanagement service offers a different service options to suitlandlords need, ranging from a simple tenant finder service to a

One landlord said:

“We are pleased with the level of servicewe are receiving. Renting out our propertyis a worry and the team there have alwaysmade it a pleasure.”

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Berneslai Homes: Help4Homeless veterans In this category the judges particularly wanted to recognise the strong entry from Berneslai Homes for their work withHelp4Homeless veterans providing accommodation and work to ex service personnel.

Tackling worklessness andsupporting social enterprise

Award Winner Blackpool Coastal Housing: Blackpool Boys and Girls Club

Over the past two years, Blackpool

Coastal Housing has worked closely

with the ‘Blackpool Boys and Girls

Club’ a local youth club and registered

charity in the heart of the Merseyside

housing estate.

Blackpool Coastal Housing has a

strong and proven track record in

recruiting local labour but in many

cases our customers still remain a long

way from the labour market. The need

to provide a bridge to offer more

opportunity led the ALMO to think

critically about how to spend

resources to make a lasting impact on

tenant’s lives. Given the scale and

depth of the deprivation in the area,

Blackpool Coastal Housing focused

attention on creating employment and

training opportunities for young

people, and raising aspirations,

incomes and wealth retention within

the community.

The club positively recruits young

people referred by Blackpool Coastal

Housing, to date the Club has

recruited 10 apprentices. It has

successfully partnered with

Myerscough College to provide

bespoke training courses. Blackpool

Coastal Housing has formally

contracted with the Club to provide a

‘Void Property Clearance’ service, and

negotiations are already underway to

see if the project can extend to

cleaning of void properties, garden

clearances and minor works such as

property decorations.


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Finalist Stockport Homes: B4Box

B4Box is a local social enterprise delivering construction work toexcellent price, quality and time standards. Although it competesin the marketplace alongside traditional construction contractors,the organisation is unique in training and employing people fromdisadvantaged groups who were previously distant from thelabour market.

Stockport Homes originally commissioned B4Box to create 14new apprentice jobs for £1million of construction spend, a further13 positions have subsequently been created meaning 27Stockport residents are currently employed as full-timeapprentices. This is significantly higher that the constructionindustry norm of one trainee per £1million.

Innovative commissioning by Stockport Homes has also meantthat different construction programmes including environmentalrapid response, void refurbishment and planned maintenance,have been joined-up for B4Box to operate within. Thepartnership has used this to create a pathway for new entrants tothe construction industry.


Finalist St Leger Homes of Doncaster: WOW Academy

St. Leger Homes’ World of Work Academy (WOW) is an

innovative project that is making a real difference in the lives of

people trying to get back into the workplace. It provides access

to education, training and support to tenants and household

members trying to find employment.

Since the project was implemented:

• 42 people have taken up work experience placements

• 53 people have enrolled on WOW, with 100% gaining NVQ

qualifications

• 33 people have now secured employment, representing a

62% success rate

• 16 trainees have undertaken full time paid work through the

“Support and Learn” programme

WOW is funded entirely by St Leger Homes, but its success

continues to grow as increasing numbers of local businesses

and social enterprises offer work experience placements and

training opportunities. Expanding the training offer to WOW

trainees in turn supports the growth and future profits of local

businesses and social enterprises by providing them with

potential staff who are properly qualified and work ready.


Stockport Homes and B4Box have developed a ground-breaking and innovative collaboration. The partnership usespioneering techniques in both commissioning and delivery toovercome barriers traditionally faced in achieving social valuethrough ALMO procurement.

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Helping tenants manage the impact of welfare reform

Sponsor:Housing Partners

Finalist Derby Homes: Welfare reform project

Efforts were concentrated on under-occupying households andtenants whose benefits had been capped. Every affected tenantwas contacted and explained their options. As at January 2015successful outcomes included:

• 212 tenants given help to downsize

• 96% collection rate for under occupancy charges

• secured £378,664 worth of Discretionary Housing Payments(825 tenants)

• despite the changes, arrears levels were down

• a 39% reduction in the number of evictions for the sameperiod in 2014

• the ALMO delivered a wide reaching awareness raisingcampaign

• Home Release policy amended to include downsizing tenants

Derby City Council was awarded funding by the DWP to conducta pilot of Universal Support Delivered Locally.


Award Winner Stockport Homes: Creating a full package of support

Stockport Homes has created acomprehensive package of measuresthat help tenants manage the impact ofwelfare reform, coupled with an ‘all staff’approach to supporting customersaffected by welfare reform. Measuresinclude:

Advice

By working closely with externalpartners and agencies, including thelocal credit union, Stockport Homes hasbeen able to fund additional advice andsupport services covering:

• debt and money management advice

• new bank accounts

• savings achievable through directdebit payments / on-line

• switching energy suppliers/ water

meters to benefit from lower prices.

Employment

Initiatives to increase employability and

employment opportunities:

• employment kiosks in reception areas

• work placements

• volunteering schemes

• all entry level vacancies are

advertised initially to unemployed

candidates.

Volunteering

Stockport Homes’ volunteering scheme

provides a route into work. Stockport

Homes’ Pantries are volunteer led

community food stores where tenants

can access; the Pantry shop, training

courses, cookery courses and more.

The Pantry scheme has helped four

volunteers into full-time, paid

employment.

Energy efficiency

Energy efficiency measures have been

installed in all of the homes managed by

Stockport Homes with supporting advise

on how to minimise their energy spend.

The in-house Money Advice, Income

Collection and Housing Support

teams have helped customers build

budgeting skills and claim grants and

benefits. Since April 2014:

• Additional income has been gained

for 1,168 customers totalling over

£940,000.

• 1,233 Discretionary Housing awards

made totalling more than £70,000

• 125 customers identified for possible

exemption from under-occupancy

charges

• 37 potential evictions have been

prevented.

Contact:

[email protected]

In 2012 Derby Homes established a Welfare Reform ProjectBoard and appointed four Welfare Reform Project Officers tomanage the impact of welfare reform changes. The ProjectBoard quickly developed strategies and procedures to

• minimise loss of benefit and maximise income

• provide money and budgeting advice

• minimise the turnover of tenancies caused by arrears

• facilitate opportunities for tenants to downsize

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Finalist Lewisham Homes: Trading Places

In February 2014 Lewisham Homes teamed up with theLewisham Council’s Housing Options Team and PhoenixCommunity Housing to create a specialist service dedicated tosupporting all affected tenants across the borough of Lewisham.

The organisations worked closely together to identify residents inneed of support, designed a quick referral process to ensureresidents could easily access the service and that their journeythrough the process could be tracked. The team, named‘Trading Places’, is made up of employees from the ALMO,Lewisham Council, and Phoenix Community Housing.

The project was innovative in its design as it set out to create a‘chain’ of moves by filling vacated properties with households inPrivate Sector Leased properties who were affected by thebenefit cap; and then moving households out of expensivenightly paid accommodation.

Between 1st February 2014 and 31st March 2015 the projectgenerated the following benefits:

• prevented homelessness amongst households adverselyaffected by the benefit changes, including helping 92Lewisham households to move home.

• provided 43 households in temporary accommodationaffected by the benefit cap with affordable alternativepermanent housing.

• reduced overall costs to Lewisham Council of Bed &Breakfast accommodation, (the average cost of eachplacement to the authority is £4480).

Note: at the time of publication Universal Credit had not beenintroduced in Lewisham.


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Most innovative resident engagement initiative

Sponsor:M3

Award Winner Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing: Windybankcommunity learning project

Finalist East Kent Housing: Tenant safari

this diverse group. Using an exciting social media campaigntickets for this free event sold out in record time. This uniquevolunteer recruitment event was held at the local Port LympneWildlife Park.

The event was themed around a ‘safari’ where visitors enteredeight themed enclosures to take part in interactive tasks to gainfree entry into the Wildlife Park. Each different tenant safarienclosure was manned by our tenant ‘rangers’ who showcasedthe different ways tenants could get involved fromNeighbourhood Inspectors, Garden Champions to specialinterest forums.

Visitors completed interactive iPad surveys, on internet usage,how they would like to get involved and what interests them. TheTenant Safari was a great success with over 98% of guestssaying they loved or liked the event.


The Windybank estate in Cleckheaton,

West Yorkshire has traditionally been

difficult to engage with, but the

refurbishment of the community centre,

and subsequent establishment of a

childrens’ growing and gardening club,

facilitated engagement with parents.

Shared interests emerged around

improved health and wellbeing as well

as more specific issues such as a

shortage of sports activities for children.

After engaging Kirklees College to deliver

a baking and cake decorating course, the

group soon discovered that learning was

fun and provided opportunity to form new

friendships and to develop themselves

and their capabilities. Having caught the

learning bug, they realised that there were

lots of new things that they wanted to

learn and ways of using that learning to

benefit themselves, their families and their

community.

The activities and learning programmes

delivered at Windybank have been

entirely shaped by resident involvement.

Funding was achieved to run ‘cook n

eat’ and ‘cooking on a budget’ courses

as well as accredited food hygiene

training through our community learning

programme. Funding also went towards

exercise, DIY, safeguarding, IT and job

skills courses, and a specialist sports

company set up sports clubs using the

existing facilities. Positive outcomes

include:

• Three volunteers have completed a

sports leadership course, and 43

children have joined football clubs.

• Two have completed an accredited

safeguarding course so they can

deliver play schemes.

• Weight management classes have

been developed as a response to

obesity problems on the estate.


In October 2014, 150 young tenants and their families set off onEast Kent Housing’s ‘Tenant Safari’. This imaginative eventaimed to increase the numbers of currently under-represented,younger tenants and families. Old school methods were thrownto the lions in favour of innovative ways to excite and engage

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Creating products and services for property development and maintenance teams

+ specialist modules

Asbestos Works

CCTV Maintenance

Communal Mechanical and Electrical Works

Communal TV Maintenance

Controlled Door Entry Maintenance

Cyclical Redecoration and Pre-decoration Repairs

Disabled Adaptation Works

Electrical Upgrading and Maintenance

Estate Services

Fire Alarms Maintenance

Fire Safety Works

Gas Appliance Servicing and Maintenance

Lift Maintenance

Planned Maintenance and Property Reinvestment Works

Repairs Ordering Schedule (ROS)

Retrofit Works

Solid Fuel Appliance Servicing and Maintenance

Voids Ordering Schedule

Warden Call/OAP Alarm Maintenance

Water Hygiene

control maintenance costs and quality

services

Reports and diagnosesrepairs in one place

Provides residentswith repairs advice

Accesses and managesyour schedule of rates

Reports repairs online

Some M3 products that work with the schedules:

Finalist Tower Hamlets Homes: Community Food Gardens In 2011, driven by the Mayor of London’s Capital; GrowthProgramme, to create 2012 food gardens in London, TowerHamlets Homes took the opportunity to work with some of theirmost hard to reach residents to develop community food gardens.To date, 26 food gardens, 4 orchards & 5 flower gardens, withapproximately 500 raised growing beds have been established,with over 1000 regular users. These gardens run by residents forresidents are:

• making positive use of public space

• providing opportunities for residents with no outdoor space oftheir own to enjoy green space and plant growing

• improving health by providing opportunities for residents togrow fresh fruit and vegetables

• engaging a wider range of people in public / community life

• strengthening community cohesion

• providing opportunities for neighbours to work and learnalongside one another

• building capacity amongst resident volunteers to engagecommunities and manage resources.


Cornwall Housing: Gypsy and traveller digital literacyIn this category the judges particularly wanted to recognise the entry from Cornwall Housing – a new initiative aimed at supportinggypsy and traveller digital literacy. Judges acknowledged that work with this community, where there is little or no digital andmobile connection, is vital, and look forward to seeing the results of the initiative over time.

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Most effective communications campaign

Sponsor:Resource Housing

Award Winner Northwards Housing: Perceptions

Perceptions was a communicationscampaign launched by NorthwardsHousing in 2014, its key aim was tochallenge perceptions of peoplestigmatised in society by the media. Thecampaign was born out of a frustrationwith the way social housing tenants areportrayed in the media. Employees weretired of how the communities we serve

were being portrayed intelevision programmes likeBenefit Street and PeopleLike Us (filmed locally).

The Perceptions campaignwas introduced at staffconference with apassionate speech by ChiefExecutive Robin Lawler andhas been used to supportthe ALMOs equality anddiversity activity for the rest

of the year. A video featuring threetenants who had suffered discriminationbecause of their differences was aired,alongside sessions from; Ruth Ibegbunaand Sinead Andrews from ReClaim, aManchester-based charity which focusedon fighting the stigma of young people inthe media, and comedian LaurenceClark, who has cerebral palsy.

The conference got people talking about

issues that are often considered taboo

or too delicate to discuss in public, and

conversation continued over the rest of

the year. During Manchester’s annual

Hate Crime Awareness Week,

Northwards aired via social media a

moving video clip of Maggie who has

faced stigma in society because of

being gay and her unconventional

appearance. Maggie led Northwards

Housing’s Manchester Pride entry, at

an event which attracts crowds in the

region of 150,000 the ALMO marched

under the banner “Love Your

Neighbour”.

A short film clip can be found here:

http://is.gd/HmgrjY

Contact:

[email protected]

Finalist Lewisham Homes: Love2Dance

Lewisham Homes’ Community Fund gives residents anopportunity to pitch ideas to a Dragon’s Den style panel for fundingfor projects that empower residents and make a difference incommunities. Through this fund a youth street dance and dramaprogramme called Love2Dance was born in 2013. It is a free 3mthstreet dance and drama programme for 8-18 year olds - inspiredby three young boys from Hazel Grove estate, who wanted anactivity to keep them and their peers “out of trouble”.

In partnership with contractors Mitie and Breyer, Love2Dance hasexpanded in 2014/15 to benefit more than 200 families across theborough and has inspired parents to play a bigger part in running it.

More than 200 young residents have taken part to date, and havegone on to showcase fantastic dance routines around theLewisham area to break down negative perceptions. One youngparticipant was talent spotted and appeared in a televisioncommercial showcasing his skills acquired entirely through theLove2Dance programme.

Communications activities have captured the programme through:

• Providing unique Love2Dance branding and clothing

• Sharing photos on Lewisham Homes’ website, Instagram,Facebook and Twitter celebrating achievements of young people

• Video produced to capture the story and promote its impactand showcase the programme to other families

Love2Dance is a fantastic example of a simple idea beingbrought to life through empowering local people.

View YouTube video clip:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxzjqcrA9jQ


19

Finalist Brent Housing Partnership: Perceptions

Brent Housing Partnership’s (BHP) Communications Team led

and produced community film, ‘Perceptions’. Jointly commissioned

by the ALMO and Wates Giving[JK1] the film premiered at the Brent

Civic Centre in July 2014. The film not only challenges stereotypes

of social housing but shows young people and the richness and

diversity of Brent in a positive light.

‘Perceptions’ is about young people who live on a council estate,

perceived to outsiders as ‘hoodies’. In the face of much negative

press two teenagers are inspired by an English lesson at school to

change the outlook on the St. Raphael’s Estate in Neasden with the

use of spoken word poetry.

Outcomes include:

• Extremely positive feedback from all those who have attended

the screenings at Brent Civic Centre, Brent Youth Parliament, The

Lexi Cinema, the Tricycle Theatre and British Urban Film Festival

• Almost 2,000 views on YouTube

There are also plans to screen the film across schools in Brent and

start discussions about challenging perceptions of social housing

and inspiring young people to achieve their goals.

RESOURCENo 1

The perfect blend forany Communication Campaign.

Ingredients: Strategy, Creative, Marketing, Design, Print, Digital,

Online, Data Management, Market Research, Blood, Sweat, Tears.

T: 0113 200 5003 | W: resource-ps.co.uk | @ResourceHousing

OFF

ICIAL SPONSOR

N

FAAWARDS

Most EffectiveCommunicationsCampaign

Film Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1bsKYS9yWo

The film is written and directed by Samuell Benta who has alsodirected the award winning series ‘All about the McKenzies’which is currently showing on London Live TV. An interview withthe Samuell Benta, on Arise News can be found here:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgzX5qvrOwk&sns=em


20

Integrating housing, care and support

Award Winner Nottingham City Homes: Small group homes for young people leaving care

Finalist Sutton Housing Partnership: Crownbourne Court

Crownbourne Court, in Sutton, is a 34 unit sheltered housingscheme with increasing levels of dementia amongst its tenants.Work was undertaken to enhance the quality of life for tenants,and create a dementia friendly environment.by putting in placenot only the right care interventions, but also the rightenvironment.

Improvements included:

• Colour coordinated decor and way finders

• Specific areas for use of digital equipment

• Digital day clock, with calendars and reminders on each floor

• Pictorial signage in and around the scheme

• Arranged resting points to help residents remember their ownfront door.

The project also addressed the social isolation aspects that

The ALMO Nottingham City Homesworks closely with Nottingham CityCouncil to deliver integrated housing,care and support services for vulnerableyoung people who are looked after by the council, or who are leaving the care system.

The initiative was developed in responseto the issue of growing numbers ofchildren coming into care, who cannot beaccommodated in foster care. The ALMO

identified a number of properties suitablefor conversion into homes in whichchildren, young people and care leaverscould live in small groups. Each of theproperties is home to two or three youngcare leavers, and is managed by a teamof dedicated Children’s Services workers.

There are currently nine small grouphomes, including some semi-independent accommodation to supportyoung people during the next phase of

their housing journey. Without them,young people could be placed inchildren’s homes out of the city awayfrom relatives, friends, school, andfamiliar surroundings.

Alongside the development of the

homes, Nottingham City Homes

developed a Care Leavers’ Protocol to

address the issue of young care leavers

struggling to sustain tenancies. The

Protocol ensures that young people are

housed in appropriate accommodation

and are supported with regular visits and

financial advice to maintain their tenancy.

A furnished tenancy scheme for care

leavers has also been introduced, and

links with a local church project provides

additional furniture, linens and a food

parcel to the young people.

The model has proved to be so

successful that we’re now working with

the council to deliver a something similar

for adults with learning disabilities.

Contact:

[email protected]

many older people face when living independently in shelteredhousing through a variety of intergenerational activities.


21

Apprentice of the Year

Rachel is in her final months of herapprenticeship with Berneslai Homes,having started a 4 year apprenticeshipin 2011. Rachael has previouslyachieved a degree and has previouslybeen employed in an office based role,but wanted a career change. Rachelhas sailed through her studies,constantly achieving As and passing allmodules at the first attempt.

Rachel’s attitude is always positive,cheerful and hardworking and has beenfrom the day she began work withBerneslai Homes, winning the respect

of her managers and workmates, andreinforcing what women can achieve ina male dominated world. Rachel is in atiny minority of women in theconstruction workforce, and hasbecome instrumental in BerneslaiHomes’ long term strategy to tackleoccupational segregation.

From the start of her Apprenticeship,she has showed an admirablewillingness and enthusiasm to reachout to females and act as a role modelin positively describing herexperiences. This includes speaking at

local schools, and various careersevents attended by students and theirparents to find out about training,education and employment.

Rachel has also shown great

commitment to being a role model for

other women, and has featured in our

annual report to tenants DVD and

promotional literature for gas servicing-

consistently going over and above her

apprentice role.

Contact:[email protected]

Winner Apprentice of the yearRachel Shorter – Berneslai Homes

Sponsor: CIH

22 22


Joe is an incredibly focussed young person, who strives toachieve something every single day. Joe is a very cleverindividual who chose to pursue a practical career and is nowcompleting the final year of his four year plumbingapprenticeship with South Tyneside Homes.

Joe has been recognised as the top apprentice in his yeargroup for the previous three years at the organisation’s internalawards ceremony, and in 2014 Joe represented his college inthe centenary year for the Wilkinson Shield.

Joe regularly takes part in promotional events in local schoolsto encourage young people to consider apprenticeships. He iswell liked by his colleagues, our younger apprentices look upto him. Joe has demonstrated great leadership qualities withhis colleagues on site, being able to make decisions, problemsolve and shows great initiative.

Joe is keen to take part in the many opportunities offered tohim that will help him achieve his goals. Joe sets himselfchallenging targets and South Tyneside Homes has everyconfidence that he will attain these, and be incrediblysuccessful in his career.


At the age of 16yrs Ellie Brodey underwent the interviewprocess with Cornwall Housing, competing against applicantsof all ages. Ellie shone through at this point – and dedicationto her GCSE studies was clear, saying she didn’t want to lookback on her results and wish she had revised more or workedharder. This dedication has clearly transferred to her role atCornwall Homes with an excellent work ethic apparent fromthe start.

Ellie demonstrates enthusiasm to her college work, learningthe Technical Support Officer role within the team, andmaintaining professional working relationships with colleagues.As a 17 year old she handles difficult situations calmly andproactively to achieve a positive outcome for all involved.

Alongside Ellie’s apprenticeship she has also made good useof the extra funding available to her via the college tocomplete a range of additional courses.

Ellie is a pleasure to have within the team at Cornwall Homes.


Finalist Joe Hockings – South Tyneside Homes

Finalist Ellie Brodey – Cornwall Housing


CIH chartered membershipTHE HALLMARK OF YOUR SUCCESS IN HOUSINGStepping up to chartered membership is an investment in you and

your community – by taking your career to the next level you’re making

a decision that contributes to the profession as a whole. That’s why

everyone in housing should aspire to chartered membership.

Find your route www.cih.org/charteredmembership

[email protected]

024 7685 1700

www.cih.orgLearn with us. Improve with us. Influence with us. @cihhousing

23

Dan has always been dedicated to his personal development atBerneslai Homes; he started his working life as an apprenticeheating engineer in 2004 and was nominated and successful inbeing the apprentice of the year in 2007. As a fully qualified heatingengineer Dan aspired to move into a management role, and wassuccessful in becoming an Apprentice Operations Manager.

Dan is exceptional, and an inspiration to other apprentices atBerneslai Homes. As a young man he has a very positive attitude tohis work life commitments. He is well respected by his peers andsenior management and contributes to all of the organisationsobjectives He has mentored and trained other young persons intobecoming successful trade operatives at Berneslai Homes.

Through his dedication and commitment Dan has been successfulin achieving Level 3 advanced diploma in management andcontinues to work toward level 4. His excellent performance,commitment and dedication has led to his appointment asOperations Manager at Berneslai Homes.


Finalist Dan Crossley –Berneslai Homes

Award winners and finalists 2015

BBeesstt nneeww bbuuiilldd sscchheemmee

Winner Derby Homes

Finalists Blackpool Coastal Housing

Lewisham Homes

Recognised Rykneld Homes

CCrreeaattiinngg ggrreeeenneerr hhoommeess aanndd rreedduucciinngg ffuueell ppoovveerrttyy

Winner Poole Housing Partnership

Finalists Solihull Community Homes

Stockport Homes

IImmpprroovviinngg tthhee pprriivvaattee rreenntteedd sseeccttoorr ooffffeerr

Winner St Leger homes of Doncaster

Finalists Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing

Stockport Homes

TTaacckklliinngg wwoorrkklleessssnneessss aanndd ssuuppppoorrttiinngg ssoocciiaall eenntteerrpprriissee

Winner Blackpool Coastal Housing

Finalists St Leger Homes of Doncaster

Stockport Homes

Recognised Berneslai Homes

HHeellppiinngg tteennaannttss mmaannaaggee tthhee iimmppaacctt ooff wweellffaarree rreeffoorrmm

Winner Stockport Homes

Finalists Derby Homes

Lewisham Homes

MMoosstt iinnnnoovvaattiivvee rreessiiddeenntt eennggaaggeemmeenntt iinniittiiaattiivvee

Winner Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing

Finalists East Kent Housing

Tower Hamlets Homes

Recognised Cornwall Housing

MMoosstt eeffffeeccttiivvee ccoommmmuunniiccaattiioonnss ccaammppaaiiggnn

Winner Northwards Housing

Finalists Brent Housing Partnership

Lewisham Homes

IInntteeggrraattiinngg hhoouussiinngg ccaarree aanndd ssuuppppoorrtt

Winner Nottingham City Homes

Finalist Sutton Housing Partnership

AApppprreennttiiccee ooff tthhee YYeeaarr

Winner Rachel Shorter – Berneslai Homes

Finalists Dan Crossley – Berneslai Homes

Ellie Brodey – Cornwall Housing

Joe Hockings – South Tyneside Homes

Documents

NFA Awards 2015 - ALMOs€¦ · Improving the private rented sector offer 10 ... When it comes to finding new and innovative ways of working and ingenious ways of overcoming the challenges