Award Categories & Info
There are ten categories available to enter:
- Tenant of the Year Award
- Young Tenant of the Year Award
- Tenant/Resident Involvement Officer of the Year Award
- Tenant/Resident Liaison Officer of the Year Award
- Excellence in Equality & Diversity Award
- Excellence in Youth Involvement Award
- Excellence in the Community Award
- Excellence in Annual Reports Award
- Excellence in Working Together Award
New for 2013
- Excellence in Tenant Led Scrutiny
The fifth annual TPAS Awards once again celebrated the achievements of individuals and organisations from across the country, who have made a significant impact on their communities.
The awards, across nine categories, recognised both individual and collaborative initiatives that have had made a real difference to people's lives and their wider communities, as TPAS' chief executive, Michelle Reid, explained:
"TPAS is passionate about connecting people to achieve great communities. In this new era of co-regulation it is vital that tenants and landlords work together to achieve and sustain positive change and impact on their communities. The judges this year have been inspired by the number of exceptional projects and initiatives which have been catalysts for delivering real change."
The winners of the regional awards held in the northern, central and southern regions throughout the year, were brought together for the national final and the winners included from the southern region: The Quays (Sittingbourne) - Riverside ECHG for Excellence in the Community; Youth Academy - Family Mosaic for Excellence in Youth Involvement; STEP (Somali Tenant Engagement Project) - Tower Hamlets Homes, for Excellence in Equality & Diversity; and from the central region, Stoke on Trent City Council and Kier for Excellence in Working Together; and Axioms Conductors & Accompaniment - Axiom Housing Association, for Excellence in Annual Reports.
Individual winners were Matt Wilkinson of Birmingham City Council for Tenant/Resident Involvement Officer of the Year - Landlord and Liz Townsend of Bullock Construction for Tenant/Resident Liaison Officer of the Year - Contractor.
Matt was nominated by Nick Reynolds one of Birmingham City Council’s tenants who described his approach quite simply as:
"He's good at what he does. Matt has broken down barriers and completely turned around resident involvement."
On winning his award, Matt said:
"This is a humbling experience. I entered this role with my eyes wide open and with the intention, from the outset to do the job as well as I can."
TPAS recognises the hugely important role and impact that tenants can have in communities in which they live. Michelle added:
"TPAS believes it is crucial that tenants young and old are involved and engaged in all aspects of their homes and the wider community. For this reason, we were particularly delighted to award 11-year old Demi-Jade Clemeston (AmicusHorizon) Young Tenant of the Year and Caroline Benford (The Hyde Group) as Tenant of the Year. Both showed remarkable insight and energy and their courage and dedication has made a significant difference to others in their communities."
Caroline, in her own words, was ‘overwhelmed’ to win her award and added:
"I don't do what I do to win awards, but it's really nice to be recognised for what I do. I neglect my husband a lot but my daughter, Chloe, also enjoys taking part now."
Regional award ceremonies
- Southern final: 1st March 2013 Grand Connaught Rooms, Central London
- Central final: 12th April 2013 St Johns Hotel, Solihull Birmingham
- Northern final: 3rd May 2013 Palace Hotel, Manchester
National final
The national final date & venue coming soon.
Award entries
Entries are welcome from TPAS members and non-members including tenants, registered social landlords, local authorities and ALMOs, as well as companies who work in the social housing sector in England. All nominations will be judged by TPAS and other judges.
To submit an application click here.
