Aico hosts Community Awards 2024 to celebrate excellence in social housing

In support of nominated beneficiary the Electrical Industries Charity, Aico curated 13 separate categories that allowed inspirational colleagues, projects and innovations to be showcased.

The categories were judged by Neal Hooper (managing director of Aico), participation expert Lesley Baird, James Prestwich (director of policy for the Chartered Institute of Housing) and Khadra Ibrahim (careers and community development lead for RBKC Housing Management).

The first award of the evening, specifically Collaborative Partnership of the Year, was presented to Jewson Partnership Solutions for its excellent partnership with YouthBuild Ventures UK aimed at establishing YouthBuilders, a construction company designed to empower YouthBuild graduates through practical skills, employment and a living wage.

Warrington and Vale Royal College’s Business Centre developed an Employer Engagement Strategy to improve its curriculum offer to align with the skills needed in the sector. As a result, its representatives gratefully received the College Initiative of the Year Award.

Corporate Social Responsibility

The Corporate Social Responsibility Initiative of the Year Award was bestowed upon Equans for its Equans Expert initiative. This initiative delivers informative workshop sessions covering business aspects such as marketing, design, cyber security and Human Resources, subsequently affording individuals the confidence and skills to benefit others.

Lightning Solutions Electrical Services won the award for Electrical Contractor of the Year. The Welsh company has been trading for over ten years now and is continuously going ‘above and beyond’ in a determined bid to ensure constant high standards for its customers.

The next award to be presented was for Resident Engagement, which celebrated winner St Leger Homes and its variety of programmes, all of which educate and create discussions between tenants and residents.

Georgina Homer of Wolverhampton Homes won the Woman in Fire Safety Award. Homer’s passion for resident engagement, her continual dedication to the cause and engaging personality are all assets for Wolverhampton Homes. Homer commented: “I’m thrilled to win this award and incredibly humbled.”

The winner of the Neighbourhood Transformation of the Year Award was Bassetlaw District Council for its outstanding work on modernising the Independent Living Scheme portfolio. Bassetlaw District Council always aims to improve the overall living experience for its residents, enhance energy efficiency and make better use of external spaces.

Rising Star

Florentina Dita has exhibited powerful leadership at PiLON. Leading the creation and implementation of its core values and taking ownership of social value initiatives resulted in Dita being victorious in the Rising Star Award.

The Aico Community Awards recognised Alexa Scrivener as Inspirational Colleague of the Year for her commendable achievements as a role model, not to mention Scrivener’s “exceptional” tenant engagement at Stirling Council.

The winner of the Sustainability Project of the Year Award was Moat Homes for its Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund. Cutting-edge technology has been leveraged to significantly improve the energy efficiency of over 600 homes.

The Best Distributor Community Initiative Award went to Service Electrical Distributors. Alongside The Sovini Group, the business is supporting communities with local requirements, women’s refuges, Armed Forces support, substance recovery and sports clubs.

The Apprentice of the Year Award – itself new for 2024 – was presented to Cole Galligan from Loughborough College and Raylec Electrical for professionalism and dedication towards his apprenticeship.

Lifetime Achievement Award

Professor Paddy Gray of Connswater received the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award. Gray bosts an abundance of experience in the housing sector, starting out back in 1981 when he was recruited to the Northern Ireland Housing Executive. Gray has since led 30 housing action area teams in Belfast.

Pleasingly, the Aico Community Awards raised over £9,000 for the Electrical Industries Charity, with Aico matching the donation (resulting in a total contribution of £18,000).

*Keep up-to-date with all of the latest social housing and community initiatives by visiting www.aico.co.uk/in-the-community