Fold Recognised at CIH Awards

Winners of the Chartered Institute of Housing Northern Ireland & Republic of Ireland (CIH NI & ROI) Annual Housing Awards were announced on Friday 27 February at Belfast City Hall and we are delighted that Fold Housing Association were amongst the winners:

Raising Standards sponsored by TDS Northern Ireland
Fold Housing Association - Six Sigma Performance Improvement

CIH Professional of the Year supported by CIH
Eileen Patterson - Director of Housing, Fold Housing Association

Rising Star sponsored by VPSitex Highly commended: Megan McGlinchey – Senior Housing Officer, Fold Housing Association

John McLean, Fold's Chief Executive said, 'We are thrilled to be recognised at the Annual CIH Awards.  The Awards represent the hard work, commitment and dedication of individuals and the team, as well as the continuous improvement and high standards we strive for at Fold.'

More than 300 people attended the ceremony, which was hosted by University of Ulster Professor of Housing Paddy Gray and Laura O'Dowd, CIH NI board vice chair.

The event, now in its sixth year, was sponsored by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE). It aims to showcase excellence and innovation and recognise the housing professionals and organisations really making a difference in their communities. Categories include working together, promoting integration, housing hero and rising star.

The winners were all chosen by a panel of expert judges except the best housing story “ won by the Northern Ireland Street League/Homeless World Cup – which was decided by a public vote on the CIH website.

CIH NI & ROI director Nicola McCrudden said: "The quality of this year's entrants was absolutely brilliant “ congratulations to everyone who was nominated and of course to our winners. These awards celebrate the fantastic work being done by housing professionals, but perhaps more importantly they push us all to do better as a sector to improve people’s lives. The achievements of our finalists and winners will inspire others to provide the best possible services for tenants and communities across this island.''

Social Development Minister, Mervyn Storey MLA, who was represented at the event by Andrew Hamilton, Department for Social Development Deputy Secretary, said: ''These Awards are an excellent opportunity to recognise and celebrate the invaluable contribution which organisations and individuals make to tenants and communities both here in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.''

''I congratulate all the winners on their achievement. Through effective collaboration between government and housing partners we will continue to achieve the best outcomes for tenants and our communities.''

Paudie Coffey TD, Minister of State at the Department of the Environment in the Republic of Ireland who attended the event said ''Economic recovery brings with it a large responsibility, individually and collectively, to ensure that we do not repeat the mistakes of the past. For housing and construction professionals, this means that Government and industry must pursue an agenda of quality and sustainability that will regain the respect and confidence of the communities that we are there to serve, meet the housing needs of our citizens, and contribute to and support overall economic recovery. It is important that we celebrate and support those in our industry who contribute to this by producing work of quality and distinction.''

Mags Lightbody, Housing Executive, Acting Chief Executive commented ''The housing sector in Northern Ireland has a wealth of talent, expertise and commitment, which benefits our customers and tenants, contributing to their better health, education and well being. Indeed, we are seeing remarkable work going on in housing throughout Northern Ireland.''

CIH would also like to thank the individual sponsors and supporters of the awards: Fold Housing Association, OakleeTrinity, Irish Council for Social Housing, Supporting Communities Northern Ireland, Maurice Flynn & Sons, TDS Northern Ireland, Orbis, Sunbeam House Services, Lagan, Irish League of Credit Unions, Clanmil Housing Group and VPSitex.

Above: Eileen Patterson, Director of Housing, CIH Award Housing Professional;

Below: Stephen Green, Finance Manager and Fiona McAnespie, Director of Care Services with CIH Raising Standards Award; and,

Megan McGlinchey, Senior Housing Officer, CIH Rising Star Highly Commended Award

List of winners:

Working Together sponsored by Irish Council for Social Housing and Supporting Communities NI
Newington Housing Association - Limestone Road redevelopment

More than Bricks and Mortar sponsored by Maurice Flynn & Sons
Housing Rights Service - Private Tenants' Forum

Raising Standards sponsored by TDS Northern Ireland
Fold Housing Association - Six Sigma Performance Improvement

Excellence in Customer Service sponsored by Orbis
Helm Housing - Delivering enhanced customer services through tenant liaison officers

Promoting Integration sponsored by Sunbeam House Services
Apex Housing - Glen Community Complex 

Sustainable Development of the Year sponsored by Lagan
Clanmil Housing Association - Caffrey Hill

Best Housing Story sponsored by Irish League of Credit Unions
NI Street League/Homeless World Cup - Northern Ireland Housing Executive

Housing Hero sponsored by Clanmil Housing Group
Bernadette Burns (Bernie) - development worker, Drumellan Community Association

Rising Star sponsored by VPSitex
Highly commended: Megan McGlinchey “ Senior Housing Officer, Fold Housing Association
Winner: Sara Millar - housing officer, Helm Housing

CIH Professional of the Year supported by CIH
Eileen Patterson - Director of Housing, Fold Housing Association

Chairman's Award
TDS Northern Ireland