Poplar HARCA has won the London final of the National Housing Federation’s prestigious What We Are Proud Of Awards 2010.
Poplar HARCA held off stiff competition from runners-up East Thames and Gateway housing associations at an awards lunch in central London on 9 July.
Poplar HARCA created the Youth Empowerment Board to give young residents a voice in major decisions, including training and employment. The board has helped to secure £6 million to build a world class youth centre in Poplar.
Fintan Tynan, resident empowerment manager at Poplar HARCA, said they had been on an “incredible journey.”
“The biggest lesson was that young people are the experts on young people,” Tynan said. “If you want to know the best way to involve young people, ask them!”
Poplar HARCA will go on to compete for the national title in September against eight other regional winners.
The annual award is designed to showcase innovative work in the community by housing associations and is sponsored by leading facilities services provider Morrison and independent consultants Campbell Tickell.
In the photo, Poplar HARCA representatives celebrate their win.
Gateway’s got talent
Gateway housing association was runner-up in the London final for uniting generations and cultures through music.
Gateway and the Guildhall School of Music & Drama brought children from Stewart Headlam Primary School and St Edmunds Primary School alongside sheltered housing residents in mixed age music workshops.
Roger Bardet was one of the residents to learn songs including, ‘I’ve got a head like a ping pong ball’. He said it was never too late to learn.
“Posture, breathing, just getting all the muscles loose before you start does make a difference. Even if you’re not a professional singer, you find it’s a better noise coming out,” Bardet said. “(The project) has done a lot to bridge the generational gap - and between the communities as well.”
The music culminated in a performance at the Barbican, where resident Pauline Canning had her own reasons for taking part.
“After 68 years of people asking me not to sing, I was so pleased,” Canning said. “After the Barbican, I was on a high for over a week. I didn’t stop talking about it but I’m still waiting for my DVD. I heard someone say, ’Gateway’s got talent.’”
In the photo, Roger is seen with his hand up at the back. Pauline holds the certificate at the front.
East Thames the Starting Point
East Thames housing association was also a runner-up in the London final for its work in Barking & Dagenham, helped by a life-sized pineapple.
Marcia Griffiths of Mini Mangoes used Pearly the Pineapple to promote healthy eating options for children aged 3-10, advising young parents how to deliver within budget.
That’s where East Thames came in. It runs a hotdesk project called Starting Point in Barking, which provides office services for small community organisations and social enterprises.
“One man was previously running an organisation from his shed,” Starting Point’s Corrine Hutcheson said. “We looked to empower local organisations and local communities.”
Hutcheson said over 7,000 local people and 45 diverse communities had benefited from Starting Point’s services. Two of the groups involved had even gone on to win Barking & Dagenham business awards.
In the photo, Corrine (L) and Marcia (C) are pictured with Federation chief executive David Orr.