Melville Housing Association’s Welfare Benefits team, who last year helped tenants access more than £500,000 in benefits that would otherwise have remained unclaimed, has won a prestigious national award from the Institute of Revenues Rating and Valuation (IRRV).

The team was named ‘Benefits team of the year’, beating off stiff competition from across the UK, with staff recognised for their high levels of performance, customer satisfaction and the delivery of an excellent customer-focused service.

“This is a brilliant achievement and worthy recognition for a small team that provides a fantastic service,” said Morag MacDonald, Melville’s director of finance and housing services.

“The work done by Jacquie and Andrew makes a real difference, and with recent Government reforms to the welfare system the service has become a critical part of the wider support we provide to our tenants.”

The two-person Melville team, made up of highly experienced advisers Jacquie Mather and Andrew Collinge, was shortlisted against much larger departments from city councils and national agencies, however the quality of their personalised approach and the way they link with other Melville services were key reasons for the team’s success.

Focussing on the needs of individual tenants, Melville’s Welfare Benefits Advice service is part funded by a grant from the Scottish Legal Aid Board and accredited by the Scottish National Standards for Welfare Benefits Advice, guaranteeing quality levels.