RBH named runner up at awards ceremony

RBH logo

Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH) is celebrating today (Monday 29 July 2010) after being named the runner up of a national award by the National Federation of ALMOs (NFA).

The winners and runners up of the 2010 NFA Awards were announced at a ceremony last Thursday night at the Midland Hotel, Manchester.

RBH’s ‘Prison! Me!! No Way!!!’ project was named runner up in the Most Effective Partnership Project category sponsored by Morrison Facilities Services.

The project is one part of RBH’s Communities First programme which aims to promote and recognise positive behaviour by individuals and groups in communities.

RBH Chief Executive Gareth Swarbrick said “We are delighted to have received this national recognition for the work we are carrying out, especially given the competition from other high performing ALMOs in this category. I’d like to thank the RBH staff involved in the project and the partner organisations we work with for making it such a success.”

Representatives from the 20 short-listed ALMOs (Arms Length Management Organisations) across the country gathered for the award ceremony, part of the NFA’s annual two day conference and AGM.

During the awards evening, hosted by Janet Street-Porter, the audience of 350 were entertained by a performance from the Lower Falinge based African drumming group NESTAC and films of all the shortlisted projects and individuals.

RBH commissioned five ‘Prison! Me! No Way !!!’ crime and safety awareness days from the No Way Trust. The events were held in four upper schools in October and November 2009 in areas where there are ‘hot spots’ of anti social-behaviour.

The aims were to: reduce offending by showing young people in a practical way, the consequences of crime and anti social behaviour, prevent young people becoming offenders and reduce fear caused by crime and anti-social behaviour. Part of the event involved uniformed officers engaging with the youngsters and encouraging them to value their freedom by highlighting the harsh realities of prison life.

The NFA Awards Most Effective Partnership category recognises effective projects brought about by well managed relationships across the public, private and voluntary sectors.

The awards were judged by an independent panel; Alison Inman, Chair of the National Federation of ALMOs; Michael Gelling, Chairman of the National Tenant Voice; and Roger Jarman, Head of Housing at the Audit Commission.

Alison Inman said: “The NFA Awards always command a high standard of entry and this year has been no exception. The creativity, pro-activity and innovation shown by these individuals and teams and, above all, their steadfast commitment to housing and local communities should act as a benchmark for the entire ALMO movement.”