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The Tenants Information Service (TIS) is delighted to announce the winners of the 2010 Frances Nelson MBE Award as Edinburgh Tenants Federation (ETF) and East Gauchallands Tenants and Residents Association, Galston, East Ayrshire.
Members of both committees received their awards at the TIS Annual Conference. There was one award for an umbrella tenants and residents organisation, won by ETF and one for a local organisation won by East Gauchallands TARA. Onthank Residents Association in Kilmarnock was commended by the judges in the local category.
TIS received 14 nominations for the award in its second year. The judging panel represented the Scottish Government Tenant Priorities Team, the tenants' movement, and the council and housing association sectors and met to decide which two organisations should win the awards this year.
After great debate the judges decided that Edinburgh Tenants Federation was the well-deserved winner in the umbrella organisation category for its work on improving mental health services for tenants living in high rise flats in the city. The judges were impressed by the Federation setting its own agenda, tackling a taboo subject and achieving change within City of Edinburgh Council to deal with such a difficult issue.
East Gauchallands TARA undertook a gardening project in their community which involved leasing various pieces of vacant land from East Ayrhsire Council and transforming them into community gardens involving the whole community. The judges were hugely impressed by the group's commitment to involving young people and people attending the local day care centre. The judges felt this project epitomises the very nature of local tenants' and residents organisations and empowered previously excluded people while improving the quality of life for the entire community.
The Onthank Residents Association has been working to address the issue of temporary homeless accommodation in their area. The tenants in these blocks were associated with increasing antisocial behavior problems and deteriorating estate management issues. Using their local knowledge, members of Onthank Residents Association came up with a proposal to demolish the flats which in turn would release a land locked site for development by a local housing association.
This proposal is now being considered by East Ayrshire Council. The judges believe that Onthank Resident Association's hard work and determination meant they were turning local negative issues into positive ones and addressing more than just local issues by influencing Council policy on allocations and homelessness.
Click here to download information on this year’s award winner.
Suite 124-128, Baltic Chambers,
50 Wellington Street, Glasgow, G2 6HJ
Tel: 0141 248 1242
Fax: 0141 221 1911
Email: info@tis.org.uk