The TIS National Excellence Awards recognise and celebrate housing organisations, staff, volunteers, residents, residents, and community groups who are truly making a difference within the Scottish social housing sector. TIS Chief Executive, Ilene Campbell, said:
Each year applications get better and better and this year was no different. The exceptional quality of entries really shined through and this strength highlights the fantastic developments that organisations are taking to lead the way.
Eight categories honour excellence in everything from, partnership working and scrutiny practice, to digital innovation, and community regeneration.
TIS is delighted to welcome Scottish comedian, Stuart Mitchell, as our 2020 ceremony host.
In 2016, Stuart made his debut at the Edinburgh Fringe, with his show ‘Dealt a Bad Hand’ and received critical acclaim and sell-out audiences culminating an extra show due to its success.
Work of genius – Daily Record ★★★★★
Stuart recently followed in the footsteps of Dara O’Brian, Paul Merton, and Craig Ferguson by being handpicked to perform in the ‘Best of the Edinburgh Fest’ showcase at the Perth, Adelaide, and Melbourne Comedy Festivals.
There is a real warmth and honesty running alongside the clever wordplay and sharp one-liners and is the longest-running panelist on BBC Radio Scotland’s ‘Breaking the News’.
We are excited to bring you live music performances from Paul Sheridan and Chris Cruickshank, from the Wakes, a folk-rock band from Glasgow.
Our musical style is forged by those who have gone before. There are influences of Guthrie, Springsteen, and Dylan dripping from every sonnet. From traditional folk groups like The Dubliners, and The Corries – to contemporary bands such as The Clash, and The Pogues comes the Folk’n’Roll sound. – the Wakes
The band’s sound is a mixture of Celtic traditional music fused with punk rock and funk. Their fusion of traditional instrumentation with a contemporary sound has helped the band to generate live shows which are energetic, euphoric, and often unforgettable.
A huge thank you to this year’s sponsors for your invaluable support in becoming a key partner of the TIS National Excellence Awards 2020. Your contribution has allowed TIS to provide an inspiring and uplifting evening after what has been a challenging year for us all.
Scroll down to find out more about our sponsors.
This year, TIS received an impressive response and welcomed high-quality nominations across all eight award categories.
Finalists were selected from a long list of applicants by an independent judging panel that included:
- Bobby Beggs, Argyll Community Housing Association Your Voice Group;
- Carolynne Watson, the Scottish Government;
- Ian Macpherson, Cunninghame Housing Association;
- Mark Cooper, Dundee City Council; and
- Zhan McIntyre, Bield Homes and Care.
Scroll down to view this year’s finalists. Thank you to this year’s independent judging panel for your valued support
Finalist guide
Sponsored by East Ayrshire Federation of Tenants and Residents
This award recognises a volunteer, individual member of staff, or apprentice under the age of 30 who has demonstrated commitment, creativity, and passion in the work that they do throughout the Scottish social rented sector.
Finalists
- Chloe Dunn – Aberdeenshire Council
- Eilidh MacDonald – Kingdom Housing Association
- Kate McDonagh – North Lanarkshire Council
Presented by John McKenzie • East Ayrshire Federation of Tenants and Residents
Sponsored by the Scottish Government
This award recognises an individual member of staff who has demonstrated a commitment to empowering tenants, residents, and community groups to work together, have their say, and influence decisions about housing policies, services.
Finalists
- Carol Graham – South Lanarkshire Council
- Max Scotto – Kingdom Housing Association
- Neil McCulloch – East Ayrshire Council
Presented by Carolynne Watson • Scottish Government
Sponsored by Cunninghame Housing Association
This award recognises an outstanding digital innovation that has made a difference to the lives of tenants, inclusion of communities, outcomes of scrutiny tasks, delivery of housing services, improvement of satisfaction levels.
Finalists
- Kingdom Housing Association
- North Lanarkshire Council
- Well Wynd Hub Project at East Lothian
Presented by Ian Macpherson • Cunninghame Housing Association
Sponsored by West Lothian Tenants Housing Network in partnership with West Lothian Council Tenant Participation Team
This award recognises an exceptional standard of tenant led scrutiny activities that have made a real difference to the lives of tenants, the delivery of housing services, and improvement of satisfaction levels.
Finalists
- Kingdom Housing Association
- Support Services Review Group at Grampian Housing Association
- Tenant Led Inspection Team at West Lothian Tenants Network
Presented by Mark Barnes • West Lothian Council
Sponsored by CIH Scotland
This award recognises an outstanding regeneration project. Initiatives can include a new social or mid-market rent housing development; community garden, hub or service; development of a sense of place; and/or overall improved living conditions.
- Edinburgh Small Sites Affordable Homes Programme
- Sanctuary Scotland Craigbank Development
Presented by Craig Gurney • CIH Scotland
Sponsored by Dundee City Council
This award recognises an inspiring volunteer who has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to adding value to their local area and improving community spirit; strengthening relationships and communication; championing tenant participation and finding innovative new ways to get people involved; influencing decisions and housing policies, services and standards; and/or driving community regeneration projects forward.
- Bruce Cuthbertson – Tenants and Residents East Ayrshire
- John Mckenzie – Campbell Area Tenants and Residents Association
- Lisa Fulton – Campbell Area Tenants and Residents Association
Presented by Councillor Anne Rendall • Dundee City Council
Sponsored by N/A
This award recognises an exceptional standard of scrutiny practice that has made a real difference to the lives of tenants, the delivery of housing services, and improvement of satisfaction levels.
- Cunninghame Scrutiny Group
- North Lanarkshire Federation of Tenants and Residents
- Peter Gibson and George Duncan representing Kingdom Scrutiny Panel
- East Ayrshire Federation of Tenants and Residents
Presented by Ilene Campbell • TIS
Sponsored by the International Union of Tenants (IUT)
This award recognises a tenants, residents, or community group who has made an outstanding contribution and achieved great practice that others can learn from in the future.
- Calders Residents Association
- Mental Health Peer Support Group – Haddington East Tenants and Residents Association
- Kirkwood Tenants and Residents Association
- Sauchie Community Group SCIO
Presented by Marie Linder • IUT
Sponsors
The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH), is the independent voice for housing and the home of professional standards. Our purpose is to provide everyone involved in housing with the advice, support, and knowledge they need to be brilliant. Our goal is simple – we want to transform lives. We want everyone to have a decent, affordable home in a thriving, safe community. We passionately believe that our contribution as housing professionals is vital to making communities great places to live.
scotland@cih.org | @CIHhousing | @CIHhousing
As a leading Social Landlord and Social Enterprise, Cunninghame Housing Association (CHA), take pride in our Vision, Mission, and Values which will ensure that we are “More than just a Landlord” as we strive to make our “Communities Better Places”.
Founded in 1984, the Association owns and manages more than 2500 homes and provides factoring services to a further 437 owners.
@CunninghameHA | @cunninghamehousingassociation
Dundee offers a good quality of life, and the Council works to maintain access to local community facilities, libraries, and opportunities for leisure and fitness in neighbourhoods where people feel safe.
@DundeeCouncil | @officialdundeecity
The overall aim of East Ayrshire Federation of Tenants and Residents, is to promote the rights of tenants and residents throughout East Ayrshire and are a full partner with the council in the improvement of housing conditions and local amenities as well as the overall environment. The Federation, promotes a thriving community spirit throughout the neighbourhoods that we work with. We are supported by the Tenants Information Service (TIS), and funded and registered by East Ayrshire Council.
chair.eaf@yahoo.com
The International Union of Tenants (IUT) is a non-governmental and not-for-profit membership organisation for global tenants’ organisations. The IUT, was founded in 1926 in Zürich, Switzerland. Since 1956 our head office is in Stockholm, Sweden with a representative office in Brussels since 2008. IUT is a non-party affiliated, political organisation. We have 69 member organisations in 45 countries, and are financed through membership fees.
info@iut.nu
The Scottish Government, work with local government, housing associations, and the private sector to ensure that everyone in Scotland has access to a high-quality, sustainable home they can afford and that meets their needs. Access to quality housing is a vital part of our drive to secure economic growth, promote social justice, strengthen communities, and tackle inequalities.
@scotgov | @TheScottishGovernment
West Lothian Tenants Housing Network, promotes the interests of tenants and residents in West Lothian on matters concerning housing, the environment, and community life. The group meets monthly and is well attended with relevant information being given to the membership. Our meetings also have a social aspect because it is important to encourage members to feel comfortable and valued.
@LoveWestLothian | @westlothiancouncil