Unsung heroes honoured at Customer Conference
City West Housing Trust has honoured its unsung heroes in the inaugural ‘Make a Difference’ Customer Awards, announced at the housing association’s annual Customer Conference this week.
The awards, presented on Thursday 28th October, recognise the outstanding contribution people, who live in a City West home, make in their community every day.
City West, which owns and manages more than 14,000 homes in west Salford, asked customers to nominate those people who they feel are making a difference – those who go the extra mile to make their neighbourhood a better place to live.
Tim Doyle, Chief Executive of City West Housing Trust, said: “These awards honour some of the most inspirational people in our community who have been nominated by their neighbours, friends and colleagues for their selfless and exceptional commitment to others.
“Far too often this willingness to bolster community spirit goes un-recognised in the wider community - I hope these awards reverse that trend. I’d like to congratulate all of the winners in the first ever Make a Difference Awards for their outstanding efforts.”
The winners are:
Children and Young People Award
Beverly Slater and Deborah Mellor were recognised for the outstanding contribution they make working with young people on the Playdayz Project. Run in Eccles, Irlam and Cadishead, the parent and toddler group and holiday club organise activities for local children.
Community Development Award
Cath Read was awarded for the vital role she plays at Enfield House sheltered housing scheme in Eccles, where she organises activities for fellow tenants. Her award recognises how her efforts go a long way to improve the community where she lives by introducing new initiatives that have a positive, long-term impact.
Community Fundraising Award
Michelle Leigh of New Peel Tenant and Resident Association in Little Hulton has taken community fundraising to the next level and, in doing so, makes a financial contribution to fund activities that so many people in her community are now benefitting from.
Community Involvement Award
Pauline Thompson goes out of her way to make a positive contribution to improve her neighbourhood and encourages others to do the same. Over recent years Pauline has been at the forefront of a number of initiatives including fun days, youth involvement schemes and car boot sales aimed at improving community spirit on the Brookhouse estate in Eccles.
Inspiration Award
Heather Holgate and Lynne Morrell-Fensome, who live in Swinton, received this award for taking a stand against anti-social behaviour in their community. Proving that ordinary people can do exceptional things they took a stand to secure an eviction against the perpetrators of anti-social behaviour whilst suffering from the effects which at times made their lives extremely difficult.
Older People’s Award
Gillian Whiteley received the award for making a difference to the lives of older and vulnerable tenants who live close by to her in Swinton. She is always on hand to help out, supporting her neighbours with day-to-day issues and helping with practical advice.
Outstanding Contribution Award
Glenda Winstanley has been recognised for her outstanding contribution to the community where she lives. A familiar face in the Little Hulton area, Glenda received seven nominations in this category alone. She is involved in many activities and is determined to make Little Hulton a better place to live.
Glenda said: “I am really pleased to be recognised for this award but this is really a recognition for the whole group of people that I work with as they work so hard.
“Everyone is really buzzing, it was a real team effort.
“I enjoyed the whole day it was brilliant.”
Tenants’ and Residents’ Association of the Year
Armitage Residents’ Association in Little Hulton has received this award for its commitment to getting involved in local community issues.
Judges Special Award
Due to the outstanding calibre of the entries, the judges decided to issue a special award to Philomena Noone who goes out of her way to make Engels House in Eccles a great place to live.
The trust’s annual customer conference held at Lancashire County Cricket Ground continued the Making a Difference theme. The event was aimed celebrating the difference City West has made over the last 12 months and getting its tenants actively involved in shaping and improving the organisation’s services.
Interactive workshop sessions were held on safeguarding children and vulnerable adults, tips on setting up a successful tenants and residents association and how to avoid illegal money lenders.
If you attended the conference you can send us your views by completing the short online form.
