Linking to the Sustainable Development Goals, the awards were set up to help show the achievements, new ideas and initiatives, amazing activities, contributions, and dedication that housing co-operatives make to their sector.
Our awards were presented at our 2022 Conference ‘Sustainability – rethink:reset’ which we held in Kenilworth on the 14-16 October. Award winners were presented with a trophy and £500 to invest in their co-operative.
Here are the official 2022 winners!
Winner: Helen Bartlett
Helen is not only a long-term co-operator and a founding member and driving force behind the creation of RosaBridge Housing Co-operative, an LGBTQ+ Radical Queer Co-op in Brighton, she has also been a tireless supporter of other co-operatives in Brighton and Hove including voluntary work with Co-operative Housing in Brighton and Hove (CHIBAH).
She is a Community Led Housing hub coordinator for Brighton & Hove Community Land Trust and works as a CLH enabler in the city.
She won the award for her consistent ongoing patience, advice and support that she has given to Bunker Housing Co-operative, and for being an inspirational figurehead in the housing co-operative movement.
Award sponsored by:
Winner: Seasalt Housing Co-operative
Seasalt (South East Students Autonomously Living Together), one of the very few student housing co-operatives in the UK, is an inspirational group of young people who have not only survived what was always going to be a difficult first year, they have made a success of it.
A year where they dealt with complicated issues around ongoing building works and group dynamics, they have also managed to embed learning in their solutions.
A group who are super active throughout the networks, attending the Stir to Action Festival, giving talks at CLH festivals and conferences, maintaining a super exciting and inspiring presence on social media and are radical promoters of sustainability, inclusivity, and co-operative principles in co-operative housing.
Award sponsored by:
Winner: Belgrave Neighbourhood Co-operative HA
Belgrave Co-operative Housing Association in Leicester has introduced an Active Management Strategy which has included regular newsletters, a website, new social media accounts – all towards improving community participation and to raise awareness of what the co-operative does, and in line with SDG No 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities..
To affect their programme they employed a Member Engagement Officer to co-ordinate a year-long events programme which included marking the 50th Anniversary of the Ugandan Asian expulsion, with TV, radio and newspaper coverage.
They have also organised other events with tenant members and the local community to raise awareness of what the co-op does and how to get involved. Their Active Member Project has included participation with Voluntary Action Leicester, Buzzing Roots, Documentary Media Centre and many other community organisations. They have also produced a “Good Neighbour Awards” programme and have created a Younger Persons Forum.
Award sponsored by:
Winner: Edinburgh Students Housing Co-operative
Edinburgh Student Housing Co-operative has gone above and beyond to work with their members to take action to meet SDG Goals 7, 11, 12 and 13 at a practical domestic scale during a time of drastic climate change.
ESHC were awarded this for their recent basement renovation changing a car park into a much needed common room. The renovation used renewable and reclaimed materials throughout and minimal use of carbon-intense building materials, with barely any concrete or petrochemical-based building materials used.
Most of the construction was carried out by members of ESHC and was designed to use simple construction methods suited to students with limited construction experience. It was also designed to be hard-wearing and low maintenance. The skills learnt by members carrying out the construction were then used by members for improving their own flats, such as replacing flooring, as well as being useful life skills.
Award sponsored by:
Winner: Theresa Lyons, Senacre Housing Co-operative
Theresa has lived at Senacre since 1996 and has dedicated her time to the running of the co-operative. She has been Treasurer, Secretary, Maintenance Officer and is now Chair. She has also served on both the CCH and CDS Co-operatives’s Boards, and was also Chair of the CDS Housing Services sub committee.
She has given many years of her time to make the co-operative what it is today, and is especially attentive to residents and those who may be vulnerable. She was nominated by a member of the committee as a thank you to her for her 26 years of ‘hard work and giving’.
She was presented with the award as someone who gives their time, energy and passion to the running of the co-operative.
Award sponsored by:
