Sheffield Homes wins UK's top housing award
Sheffield Homes has been honoured with a top accolade at yesterday’s finals of the UK Housing Awards after winning the ‘Excellence in Delivering Safer Neighbourhoods’ category.
The Company was recognised for the work of its Neighbourhood Action Team, which was created in partnership with local communities to take an innovative approach to the prevention of anti-social behaviour. The team of five has worked with Tenants and Residents Associations (TARAs) and other community partners in the North of Sheffield to draw up anti-social behaviour action plans tailored to the needs of each area.
Projects have included Good Neighbour Agreements, Good Trader Agreements and mapping of youth hotspots, to help other local agencies. In March, MP David Blunkett launched the Team’s Witness Support Scheme, which in conjunction with the Police, has provided training to 40 TARA members so they can assist witnesses of anti-social behaviour.
The Neighbourhood Action Team has also worked with over 5000 children aged 3-16 years old at local schools. Pupils are encouraged to think about the impact of anti-social behaviour on their community by devising their own set of community rules and taking part in fun activities and competitions. Local celebrity footballers have come on board to hand out the prizes.
Sheffield Homes, the company that manages 48,000 homes on behalf of Sheffield City Council, won the prestigious housing award at the grand final in London. It was selected from hundreds of entries and beat off tough competition in the final from Servite Houses, Berrybridge Housing, Bolton at Home and Homes for Islington in the Safer Neighbourhoods category. Local Board Members Doreen Newton and Norma Ashmore accompanied Sheffield Homes staff to the event.
Following the Team’s success, Sheffield Homes plans to extend the approach to other locations across the City. Peter Morton, Sheffield Homes Chief Executive, said, “These awards are very prestigious and it’s great to see the excellent work we do in the community recognised on a national stage. I would like to thank all the local tenants and residents who support our work and help us to make neighbourhoods in Sheffield safer and more pleasant places to live.”
Cllr Chris Weldon, Cabinet Member for Safer Neighbourhoods added,"The Neighbourhood Action Team have worked on some very creative projects to get young people and tenants engaged in helping to tackle the problem and I am pleased their hard work has been recognised. I look forward to seeing the project extended across Sheffield as it will be an asset in helping the Council and its partners to tackle anti social behaviour.”
The UK Housing Awards is organised by the Chartered Institute of Housing and Inside Housing magazine.