The Association has been awarded the Investors in People (IIP) Gold Standard Accreditation, the same week as celebrating its milestone 50th anniversary. The award is assessed rigorously by IIP and is only given to excellent organisations who demonstrate true support and development of their staff. This achievement has been further enhanced with a Health and Wellbeing Award and the Investors in Young People accreditation, all from IIP.

Investors in People is a management framework which helps businesses reach their potential through employees and supports organisations optimise their performance by equipping them with outcome driven tailor-made approaches. The prestigious accreditation is recognised across the world as a mark of excellence.

The Health and Wellbeing Award is a result of the work carried out by WSHA’s Healthy Working Lives Team. Made up of staff from across the organisation, the team run a range of inclusive campaigns, charitable fundraising, and events aimed at increasing the health and wellbeing of staff. The Investors in Young People is a new IIP accreditation and was awarded for WSHA’s engagement and work with younger people both in the workplace and in the communities in which it operates.

Founded in 1965, this week also marks 50 years of WSHA providing quality housing and excellent customer care in Scotland. The Association is celebrating with a variety of activity across the year that looks back at WSHA history and successes and looks forward to the future.

Carron Garmory, WSHA’s interim chief executive, said: “I am absolutely delighted with the news of these awards and so proud. This is a fantastic achievement and such a fitting way to celebrate our 50th birthday year. I want to thank our passionate staff for their ongoing commitment to both the business and to delivering excellent products and services for our customers.

“We are only one of very few other organisations in Scotland to have achieved all three awards and this is recognition of our team’s efforts over the last year.

“As we go into the Association’s golden anniversary year this really enhances our celebrations.”

Peter Russian, chief executive of Investors in People, added: “West of Scotland Housing Association has excelled with their application and accreditation - we were extremely impressed by their commitment to their workforce in the social housing sector. This is a fantastic achievement for them and I offer my heartfelt congratulations to the organisation.

“The Investors in People framework not only recognises and supports organisations in the training and development people, but marks them out as an employer of choice. IIP provides advisory services that deliver value-led strategic approaches angles towards business objectives. IIP supports the efforts of organisations across the private, public and third sectors, who believe that people are the key to success, by providing advice and guidance, business assessment and advisory services.”

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