Leading names in Social Housing were out in force yesterday afternoon at the Housing Corporation Gold Awards 2008, held at Altitude, Millbank Tower in central London. Derwent & Solway Housing Association, a member of Harvest Housing Group, were the proud recipients of a prestigious Gold Award for Tackling Worklessness, for their groundbreaking Routes 2 Work initiative.
An initial 72 applications were entered for a Gold Award this year, and following thorough consideration by the Judging Panel a list of 18 finalists was announced in January. Derwent & Solway were one of six Associations nominated in the Tackling Worklessness theme, and following a strong submission and a site visit by the Gold Award Team, they walked away triumphant.
Derwent & Solway’s delivery of the Routes 2 Work programme addresses the unique employment barriers and challenges facing the community in West Cumbria. Since its conception in 2001, it has successfully assisted 2000 people into employment through bespoke packages of support including; Classroom Assistant courses, Retail Training Initiatives and personal development activities that help participants overcome the psychological barriers to employment that can arise from long term unemployment.
The scheme helps to support individuals, groups and whole communities in overcoming social and economic isolation; reducing unemployment, the negative social impacts it can fuel and bringing community wide improvements.
Since the Housing Corporation launched the Gold Award in 2005, it has rapidly become a highly regarded and successful scheme. It is designed to encourage future innovation across the social housing sector, identifying and rewarding outstanding performance and raising operational standards.
Commenting on the award Ian Perry, Chief Executive of Harvest Housing Group, said:
“Our aim at all times is to focus on the needs of the local communities we serve, not only looking after their housing requirements but also their social needs, including employment. By providing training programmes and initiatives we hope to benefit individuals and the wider community as a whole. This Gold Award is recognition of the hard work and dedication demonstrated by everyone involved in Routes2Work, and is a superb tribute to them”.
Sir Duncan Michael, Chairman of the judging panel said:
“Congratulations to Derwent & Solway Housing Association for securing this prestigious national housing award for tackling worklessness. It is their unique approach to tackling worklessness in an area which is geographically isolated and has high levels of deprivation with limited work opportunities that has made them a worthy Gold Award winner."