The Housing Organisation of the Year category – sponsored by Aico – sought to recognise a housing organisation which has “demonstrated an exceptional commitment to embedding tenant participation, scrutiny, and wider community engagement into the culture of the organisation”.

The win comes just weeks after Elderpark won a prestigious accolade in the CIH Scotland Housing Awards 2023 where it scooped the award for “Excellence in Learning and Development.”

The double success caps an excellent 12 months for the Govan-based housing provider having already won - earlier in the year - a TPAS award for its initiative working with local schools.

Gary Dalziel, chief executive of Elderpark said: “The other finalists Barrhead and Kingdom are excellent examples of successful housing associations and we congratulate them both. We are a local housing association which is part of the community and to be part of the community you have to believe in engaging with our residents, other partners and the wider community in order to deliver anything meaningful.”

Maureen McDonald, chairperson of Elderpark, said: “We are thrilled and delighted to have won this award. As a local resident I am proud of the work we do in the community and it’s a great honour for me to be chairperson of the association in what has been an incredible year for Elderpark with this, our third award win in just a few months.

“This success is down to the passion, commitment and hard work of all our exceptional staff and a dedicated Management Committee. I would like to express my thanks to everyone of them who commit every day to making the organisation the best it can be.

“A special mention must also go to our Community Regeneration Officer, Jonathan Giddings-Reid who was also a finalist for the ‘Outstanding Contribution to Tenant Participation’ category. Jonathan been pivotal in the association working with the local community over the last year and his enthusiasm is something to behold.”

The TIS National Excellence Awards were held at Glasgow’s Grand Central Hotel and were part of the two-day TIS National Housing Conference.

Others to be recognised included a Govan Housing Association Group tenant who set up the First Digital Ukrainian Club.

Resident Sofiia Kalinovska was awarded runner-up in the Outstanding Contribution to Tenant Participation category.

Sofiia as a new tenant with Govan Housing Association, quickly identified a need within her community and took the initiative to address it.

Sofiia’s background as an IT engineer allowed her to create a valuable resource in the form of a chatbot, enabling her to share information to as many people who are not fluent in English to access information, especially given the language barriers they may face when settling into a new country.

Sofiia’s efforts in establishing the First Digital Ukraine club and the in-person Ukrainian peer support group highlight her commitment to supporting and empowering her community.

Govan Housing Association’s decision to nominate Sofiia for the outstanding contribution to Tenant Participation aware was well-deserved, and it reflects the appreciation for her work in the community. Sofiia’s gratitude for the recognition is both humbling and inspiring.

Sofiia’s story is a shining example of how individuals can make a difference in their communities through innovation, compassion, and willingness to support others and her achievement serve as an inspiration.

Caron Quinn, group chief executive, said: “Sofiia has made such a positive change in the community, she has made a remarkable impact and had a positive influence. This award signifies her contribution and efforts that is so deserving.

Sofiia Kalinovska added: “This means such a lot to me. Many many thanks for this beautiful event and evening at the award ceremony.”

The winners on the night included:

• Young Achiever of the Year - Sponsored by East Ayrshire Federation of Tenants and Residents

The Young Achiever of the Year award recognises an inspiring volunteer, individual member of staff, or apprentice under the age of 30, who has demonstrated commitment, creativity, and a passion in all the work that they do throughout the Scottish social housing sector.

Winner: Robyn Kane - chairperson at Moredun Multis and Maisonettes Residents’ Group

• Outstanding Contribution to Tenant Participation (Housing Staff) - Sponsored by The Scottish Government

The Outstanding Contribution to Tenant Participation award recognises an inspiring, individual member of staff who has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to driving tenant participation practices forward, to achieve great practice that others can learn from.

Winner: Ian Macpherson - community engagement and participation officer at Cunninghame Housing Association

• Outstanding Contribution to Tenant Participation Frances Nelson MBE (Individual Tenant) - Sponsored by Dundee City Council

The Outstanding Contribution to Tenant Participation award recognises an inspiring, individual tenant who has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to driving tenant participation practices forward to achieve great practice that others can learn from.

Winner: Lewis McGill - tenant of Aberdeen City Council

• Excellence in Scrutiny Danny Mullen (Working in Partnership) - Sponsored by West Lothian Tenants Housing Network

The Excellence in Scrutiny Danny Mullen award recognises housing organisations, and their tenant scrutiny groups, who have demonstrated excellence in working collaboratively to achieve an exceptional standard of scrutiny that has made a real difference to the lives of tenants, delivery of housing services, and improvement of satisfaction levels.

Winner: Argyll Community Housing Association in partnership with Your Voice Group

• Excellence in Digital Engagement (Housing Organisation) - Sponsored by CIH Scotland

The Excellence in Digital Engagement award recognises housing organisations who have demonstrated creativity in developing meaningful digital engagement opportunities.

Winner: Bield Housing and Care

• Tenant Group of the Year - Sponsored by the International Union of Tenants (IUT)

The Tenant Group of the Year 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.

Winner: Campbell Area Tenants’ and Residents’ Association

• Housing Organisation of the Year - Sponsored by Aico

The Housing Organisation of the Year award recognises an outstanding housing organisation who has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to embedding tenant participation, scrutiny, and wider community engagement into the culture of the organisation.

Winner: Elderpark Housing Association