Nearly 50 entries were received for our very first community awards.
Individual tenants, residents and community groups from South Leeds, whose actions and initiatives make a real difference to people’s lives and their neighbourhoods, were recognised at a ceremony on the 9 April.
Hosted by BBC Look North presenter, Harry Gration and attended by Hilary Benn, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and MP for central Leeds, The Deputy Lord Mayor, Councillor Andrew Barker and 150 invited guests.
Short film clips of the evening can be viewed here
Among the winners is 11 year old Jay Smith from Rothwell, who, despite pressure from other youths in the area, has taken an active role in the community in which he lives. Speaking authoritatively at meetings, Jay, who won the ‘Young Resident of the Year’ Award, provides a voice for other young people on his estate giving an insight into their hopes and needs. Jay gives up his school holidays voluntarily clearing litter and weeding in the elderly people’s community garden, encouraging his peers to get involved as well.
‘Group of the Year’ winner, Denshaw and Newlands Tenants and Residents Association commitment to the community has resulted in a number of positive changes in the area. Its regular ‘fun days’ bring together a number of local agencies under one roof to allow residents the opportunity to discuss issues and concerns with the fire service, police, Aire Valley Homes, Morley Elderly Action, and individual businesses in the area of Morley.
A local community dance troop from Dance Action Zone Leeds (DAZL) opened the ceremony with a ‘dazzling’ performance.
Aire Valley Homes Chief Executive, John Clark, said: “I'm really impressed by the standard of entrants to Awards. They were designed to recognise the people and projects that bring life and passion to a community. By thanking people in this way we hope to give a pat on the back to those who deserve it, keep peoples enthusiasm and interest going and let other people know that they too can get involved and become great community champions.”
Chair of the Board, Councillor Peter Gruen, said: “The Awards have been a fantastic success and we hope the outstanding level of response to this inaugural event means we are able to continue in future years.”
The Aire Valley Homes Community Awards have been made possible with the support of its sponsors Frank Haslam Milan and Cyril Sweett Group.
List of Winners and Finalists:
Resident of the Year
Winner
Sharna Ramsden
Finalists
Pat Cashon
Peter Dougal
Young Resident of the Year
Winner
Jay Smith
Finalists
Nikki Ashraf
Sam Parry
Group of the Year
Winner
Denshaws and Newlands Tenants and Residents Association
Finalists
John O’Gaunts Tenants and Residents Association
Whiterose Residents Association
Best Community Initiative
Winner
Mothers Pride Teatime Club
Finalist
SLATE South Leeds Alternative Trading Enterprise Hunslet
Aire Valley Homes Employee of the Year
Winner
Margaret Garnett, Tenancy Management Officer
Finalists
Helen Smithson, Tenancy Management Officer
Alan Thorpe, Customer Involvement Officer
Isobel Thorp, Supported Housing Officer
Special Recognition Award
Winner
Keith Hallas
