Once again, the Northern Housing Awards assembled an ensemble of talent in recognition of the sector’s hard work and commitment to making a difference
The limelight was certainly loving Livv Housing at this year’s Northern Housing Awards; the organisation all-but stole the show, scooping five trophies on the night.
“To have been shortlisted in five categories was a tremendous honour, but taking home the trophy for every single one is an extraordinary achievement,” said Livv’s group chief executive, Léann Hearne, following the event.
She’s not wrong; the organisation clearly impressed the judges. Livv won Best Resident Support/Well-being Initiative; Best Affordable Housing Development (£20m+); Best Approach to Decarbonisation; Northern Housing Partnership of the Year; and the highly coveted Landlord of the Year award.
Fortunately, there were plenty of awards left to go around, and there were plenty of takers, too, what with a total of 24 categories up for grabs.
Everyone shortlisted for the Northern Housing Awards is a winner, of course; it sounds trite to say that, but it’s true all the same. Even so, sadly not everyone can take home the prize.
But there’s consolation – as if it’s really needed – in applauding the achievements of one’s peers, and through them the success of the wider housing sector; embodied in spirit and in deed by everyone gathered for the awards.
The competition was tough; a thread running through the awards year-on-year, and the standard shows no signs of abating. The judges were certainly put through their paces in determining their verdicts, so it’s true to say that everyone gathered at the venue represented the very best of the social housing sector.
As host, Marverine Cole put it: “Tonight we are recognising the achievements of those who are making a difference, for their communities, for the North and for the country as a whole.”
And that, in essence, is the whole point of the Northern Housing Awards: To showcase the great projects undertaken, highlight the commitment and dedication needed to bring them to fruition, and acknowledge the – mostly unsung – hard work the sector undertakes.
Once again, the event was hosted at The Point, Emirates Old Trafford in Manchester; a venue both venerable and suitably glamorous for the occasion.
There was food, there was entertainment, there was razzmatazz, but it was all for a serious purpose, as guest speaker Jill Murray – president of the Chartered Institute of Housing – highlighted in her welcoming speech.
She began by congratulating the shortlisted entrants, and she offered a heartfelt “thank you” for the “great work you are all doing every single day” and the difference that makes for tenants.
“Housing awards always bring a platform to showcase and award excellence, innovation and learning across the social housing sector,” Murray said. “We must never underestimate the important work that we do in the housing sector.”
She went on to say: “No matter who you are, home is the place where everything starts. Home is shelter and protection from the outside world. A place to relax with family and friends.
“That feeling of safety and security that a home provides is essential – it’s essential – to our health and well-being. When you have a safe home, you have a foundation and a launch pad to work hard and achieve a successful life, no matter where you come from.”
This is, of course, all part of the theme for Murray’s CIH presidential term, urging and encouraging housing professionals to be the best they can be; or as she headlines it – be EPIC. The Northern Housing Awards certainly highlighted plenty of examples.
The organisers of the Northern Housing Awards, UK Business Events (UKBE) selected Action for Children as its charity this year; acknowledging its worthy cause, but also as homage to the guest speaker. It is, after all, the charity Murray chose for her presidency.
On the night, a raffle in support of the charity, together with donations from kind donors, raised over £2,000 to support Action for Children’s work.
The prizes were two tickets for a T20 game, donated by Lancashire County Cricket Club; a signed Manchester City football shirt, donated by Action for Children; and a two-night stay in UK or Europe for two people, with a choice of 440 destinations, donated by UKBE.
As might be expected, guests on the night glammed-up in their best evening wear, ready to dance the night away in the after show party.
But first, before the serious business of the awards presentation, there was entertainment provided by comedian Nina Gilligan. The award-winning – and fittingly, Northern – comedian certainly tickled the funny bones with her routine.
The evening ended with guests flocking to the dance floor, where they showed their moves to the music, courtesy of the home-grown Manchester band, LeFunk!
All in all, a good night was had by all, but now it’s over to the roll-call of winners in this year’s Northern Housing Awards…
The winners: A round of applause, please, for…
Best Resident Safety Initiative
Winner: Gentoo Group
The judges said: “It’s fantastic that Gentoo have taken their expertise in resident engagement to create a sector-wide group about building safety. Some really creative solutions used to educate tenants on fire safety, including an animated video and a fridge magnet for tenants to keep in their homes. This submission showed outstanding engagement across Gentoo’s tenants and with the local fire service.”
Excellence In Company Culture & Employee Development
Winner: Wythenshawe Community Housing Group
The judges said: “This submission boasted lots of initiatives covering all areas and across the whole organisation – with evidence of impacts and lots of engagement with colleagues to get their views and engage them in the projects first-hand.
“There were several good culture initiatives which included House Proud, Rainbow Roof and the ‘Add Value’ recognition scheme. A solid submission that the judges where impressed with, especially seeing how a housing association is working with wider organisations to boost communities and tackle inequality.”
Northern Housing Partnership Of The Year
Winner: Flutter Shutter Limited and Livv Housing Group
The judges said: “This was a truly innovative concept that brings so much in terms of saving energy, tackling fuel poverty, and keeping people warm. It is clear that this would not have seen the light of day had it not been for the true partnership working between the creators, the local universities and the housing provider – who saw its potential and supported it accordingly. Great customer feedback as well. Very inspirational.”
Highly commended: Greater Manchester Housing First
Best Repairs And Maintenance Team
Sponsored by TCW
Winner: Home Group
The judges said: “Home Group have taken a bold move by in-sourcing repairs and maintenance services, which must be congratulated. It’s great that the ethos and positive attitude of Home Group was embraced through engagement sessions with the newly transferred maintenance team. The judges all agreed Home Group had a great range of innovations that supported people with diverse needs as well as other tenants.”
Best Retrofit Initiative
Sponsored by Next Energy Solutions Limited
Winner: Onward Homes – Manchester
The judges said: “A huge improvement on the existing 132 homes, with good attention to impact as well as technical delivery. This was a great initiative with clear and delivered objectives that also joined up planned maintenance works to create very positive results for Onward’s customers.
“This initiative demonstrated financial savings and thoughtful touches, for example a respite house and neighbourhood champions. Great results. Really impressive transformation.”
Best Resident Support/Well-being Initiative
Winner: Healthy Lifestyle Choices Project – Livv Housing Group
The judges said: “This was a holistic and multi-faceted programme that focuses on a range of different health and well-being interventions and support. With a clear approach to evaluation, learning and adaptation, they described the impact that they make and how they have made it person-centred.
“Some substantial outcomes were recorded and there are clearly positive results for some of those involved. It is great to see how Livv are making a difference around wider health for their residents, which should be celebrated.”
Best Resident Support/Well-being Service
Winner: Skylight
The judges said: “Skylight, part of Stockport Homes, showed a comprehensive range of different support and initiatives all under one roof. They thought carefully about how to ensure a seamless experience for people with a comprehensive mix of services. It was also good to see youth work included. This was a great all round holistic inclusion programme.”
Best Initiative For Tackling Homelessness
Sponsored by Stanley Land and Homes
Winner: Bridge-It Housing UK Team Ltd
The judges said: “This was a good individual example of targeted support for ex-prisoners, and added to the current levels of support offered. A true partnership approach, which was part of the wider community. It showed great data and the impact was empowering for its tenants. A fantastic holistic solution to homelessness producing brilliant results, the Bridge-It Housing Team should be really proud of that they do.”
Supported/Sheltered Housing Scheme Of The Year
Sponsored by ProCare – Wetroom and Bathroom Specialists
Winner: Bowgreave Rise Care Home, Preston – PRP Architects
The judges said: “This scheme showed good use of HAPPI principles and colour for way-finding – which is important for residents with dementia. It’s a high quality scheme tackling issues of frailty with a strong focus on residents’ needs in the design, the layout, and the fit-out of the building. Generally, a beautifully designed care home with good energy efficiency to boot.”
Highly commended: Patent Walk and Patent House, Doncaster – Housing 21
Regeneration Scheme Of The Year
Sponsored by Carpetright for Business.
Winner: Riverbank View, Salford – Keepmoat
The judges said: “This was a mixed tenure new build scheme with a transformational physical and social impact. A well thought-out scheme with good social statistics, focusing on community and with a holistic vibe. One judge said it was brilliant to see such a good quality development on such a challenging site. Well done Keepmoat.”
Best Affordable Housing Development (Up to £10m)
Sponsored by BEK Enviro
Winner: St William’s Development – Housing People, Building Communities & Prima Group
The judges said: “This was a human focused development using a sensitive design and good green credentials. Shared ownership and an innovative approach to equity and community buildings, which made this scheme stand out in this category. There was also good use of the existing building and a great example of using air source heat pumps. Excellent job.”
Best Affordable Housing Development (£10m To £20m)
Sponsored by BEK Enviro
Winner: Ancoats Dispensary, Manchester – Great Places Housing Group
The judges said: “This is a highly impressive scheme, with high affordability levels, environmental performance and includes the rehabilitation of an important heritage building that contributes to local regeneration. A challenging site, but one that truly benefits the local community. It gives a great sense of retaining history while bringing in the new. An excellent submission.”
Highly commended: Silk Street, Manchester – Rowlinson and Manchester City Council
Best Affordable Housing Development (£20m+)
Sponsored by BEK Enviro
Winner: The Watchfactory Phase Two, Prescot – Livv Housing Group
The judges said: “This scheme sets a fantastic example in meeting mixed tenure housing needs, in an inter-generational setting, and contributing to local regeneration. A great ethos of building new communities, combined with high spec design – it really is a great looking scheme, with a good mixture of property types, inclusion of renewables to flats, and good identification of how it meets the market need. Excellent development, worthy of an award.”
Best Transformation Programme
Sponsored by Manifest Software Solutions
Winner: Aico
The judges said: “Aico and their Home LINK is very innovative. This submission shows good use of technology to drive transformation. And is clearly using a technological innovation for the housing sector. A good submission, with a solution that can help with safety and regulatory compliance within the home.”
Best Approach To Decarbonisation
Sponsored by Jewson Partnership Solutions
Winner: Livv Housing Group
The judges said: “Livv Housing have a clear list of achievements and targets for future programmes. They have great ambitions and are doing valuable research along the way, which will be helpful to others. Livv are a significant stockholder, taking a robust approach to practical energy saving initiatives. Very Impressive commitments, and are very much on the journey to reducing carbon throughout their developments and in-house.”
Home Builder Of The Year
Winner: Onward Homes
The judges said: “This was a very good submission, showing Onward’s great ambition and wider impact (eg the Northern pound) with lots of innovation and sound environmental practices. It’s good to see the range of areas that Onward are looking to excel in. On top of core activities, there is commitment to modern methods of construction and sustainability moving forwards. Onward Homes show strong growth, delivering mixed tenure housing, partnerships, community involvement and strong environmental principles.”
Contractor Of The Year
Winner: Frank Rogers Building Contractors
The judges said: “Frank Rogers showed good evidence of a wider focus on social value and community engagement, enhanced with the launch of FR Foundation last year to support the vulnerable in society. They demonstrated some excellent examples of sustainable development and innovation through recycling and re-purposing materials. Clearly an ambitious organisation with an excellent understanding of their financial performance, with great innovations for both employees and the local community.”
SME of the Year
Winner: Magnum Opus Repairs Limited
The judges said: “Magnum Opus Repairs are a great example of a nice independent company being creative and valuable. They are a growing repairs company that has found its niche and is making a real difference in the sector by focusing on repairing and restoring surfaces, rather than providers bearing the cost of replacing them. A clear focus on meeting turnaround times for tenants, with a clear purpose and mission in order to track results. Excellent attitude and commitment to skills training and apprenticeships. The company has great potential.”
Supply-Chain Partner Of The Year
Winner: Aico
The judges said: “Aico is a dedicated supplier, intent on staying ahead. There were excellent examples of using online technology to provide significant cost efficiencies to landlords by freeing up resource from undertaking call-outs, which is a great idea. Aico proactively hosts events and roadshows with customers to share knowledge and to make tenants feel safe and secure, which is commendable and the HomeLink App allows residents to see data on their property. Aico had very positive feedback provided from partners, that can’t be ignored either.”
Best Use Of Technology By A Social Landlord
Winner: Karbon Homes
The judges said: “Karbon Homes made good use of their data, supported by colleague training and support to drive efficiencies. There was clear evidence of significant innovation, which was well implemented. It was a very good submission, and the statistics and testimonials were really helpful for the judges, to understand the impact of this digital inclusion programme. Karbon really did take advantage of technology, and it shows in their results.”
Best Customer Experience
Winner: Fortem Solutions
The judges said: “Fortem have demonstrated how they gathered and acted on feedback – which is real evidence of fantastic customer engagement. The excellent testimonials and innovative practices could not be ignored. It had a focus on retrofit, and this has made a very positive impact. Great initiative.”
Landlord Of The Year
Sponsored by Seddon
Winner: Livv Housing Group
The judges said: “This submission gave a great description for the work that Livv does, and the ways in which they are driving impact and value for their residents and the local area. This broad approach, demonstrated good use of tenant scrutiny and some good work in a very deprived community. Livv are clearly passionate about making a difference in the lives of residents and through its range of services – Livv is genuinely more than a housing organisation.”
Tenant Of The Year
Sponsored by Fortem
Winner: Andy Walsh from Incommunities.
The judges said: “Andy Walsh has given the community a collective voice. He set up a valuable community trust mentoring scheme, and the impact of Sandale Trust has been felt by so many. Andy’s commitment to mentoring is outstanding. An active member for the local community, Andy works tirelessly with his landlord to support others, create opportunities and represent the tenants voice and their perspective.”
Highly commended: Julie Roberts from Cobalt Housing
Northern Housing Team Of The Year
Sponsored by Novus Property Solutions
Winner: Unity Homes & Enterprise
The judges said: “The Unity Homes team gives out good information on good initiatives to assist tenants into employment. The team demonstrates the true value that can be added by supporting a diverse group of customers to help themselves become sustainable. There is strong evidence of making a difference to the lives of the customers here, which has clearly made a positive impact.”
Find out more about the Northern Housing Awards here
Read next: Customer services: Tech with a human heart
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