Offerton Neighbourhood Management Board has won ‘Most Innovative Use of Community Engagement’ at the Housing Innovation Awards 2013.
The award recognises social landlords who put their tenants at the heart of everything they do; organisations which exist for tenants, providing clear roles for residents within the organisation.
This multi-agency partnership is chaired by April Higson, Director of Neighbourhoods and Support at Stockport Homes and includes a range of partners including Stockport Council and Greater Manchester Police. It works to reduce inequalities, make services more joined up and improve outcomes for residents. Successes since its creation in November 2010 include:
- Increasing the involvement of under-represented groups in community projects and local decision making;
- investing £300,000 of funding raised by partners in a community centre;
- developing a neighbourhood agreement for Offerton, in partnership with residents;
- being awarded ‘Newlove Neighbourhood’ status with Friends of Offerton, one of only seven in the country, for helping to reduce anti-social behaviour by 48% in one year;
- Introducing participatory budgeting to Offerton which has helped to increase the number of community groups operating in Offerton from four to 30 in two years; and
- supporting community events that have attracted up to 400 residents.
April Higson said on winning the award: ‘We’re delighted to win this prestigious award. The innovative ways we’ve engaged residents in Offerton over the past two years have seen remarkable results. This has been achieved by the dedication of the team and, most importantly, the time and commitment given by the Offerton Community.’
Source: 24 Dash News