Scotland’s housing heroes honoured at TPAS Awards.

The annual TPAS Scotland conference recently concluded with a grand awards ceremony, shining a spotlight on the extraordinary achievements within the Scottish housing sector. Congratulations poured in from Jacqueline Norwood, the interim CEO at TPAS Scotland, as she commended the 19 winners and runners-up across nine different categories. She particularly highlighted the “fantastic work happening across Scotland.”

One of the standout winners was Castlehill Housing Association, recognised for their exceptional efforts in “Involving Tenants in Shaping & Scrutinising Services.” This accolade celebrated their success in tailoring sheltered housing services to meet the specific needs of residents. Runners-up in this category were Scrutiny at Scottish Borders Housing Association.

Mhorag Ewen, the housing services director at Castlehill, expressed delight at receiving the award, emphasising the significant transition from Sheltered Housing to Independent Living. Their Enhanced Housing Management model, born out of tenant feedback, has now been successfully implemented in Aberdeenshire and Aberdeen City, providing safe and secure housing for older individuals.

Jennifer Soley, the housing services manager at Castlehill, underscored the importance of collaborating with staff and tenants while rolling out the Independent Living service. By incorporating feedback from questionnaires and face-to-face consultations, they have crafted a service that evolves to meet the changing needs of older individuals in the long term.

Castlehill’s chief executive, David Lappin, reiterated their commitment to putting tenants at the centre of all operations. He emphasised that the success of the Independent Living initiative would not have been possible without the active involvement of residents. The new service aims to adapt to the evolving needs and preferences of tenants, ensuring their well-being now and in the future.

At the awards ceremony, Flourishing Faifley received the “Communities Supporting Communities” award for their commendable efforts in tackling social isolation and fostering connections through various community initiatives. Meanwhile, Maryhill’s Wyndford Future Focus Group clinched the “Tenant Team of the Year” award, showcasing their dedication to tenant welfare.

Scottish Borders Tenants Organisation and Scottish Borders Housing Association emerged victorious in the “Communicating with Tenants and Residents” category for their innovative communication strategies. Additionally, Link Housing bagged the prestigious “Tenant Voice Award” for their commitment to gathering tenant feedback through digital channels.

The event also saw the introduction of a new award, “Engaging Tenants in Environmental Initiatives,” with Raigmore Residents Association taking the top spot for their creative food larder project. Recognising the importance of youth involvement, the “Best Practice in Involving Young People” award was presented to Aberdeen Youth Movement.

These TPAS National Good Practice Awards serve as a testament to the dedication and innovation driving Scotland’s dynamic housing sector. They inspire others to follow suit, ensuring a brighter future for tenants and communities across the nation.