The Programme of the Year 2016 award was presented to ng homes group by Keep Scotland Beautiful for the success of its work in developing initiatives and strategies to provide cleaner neighbourhoods.

The association was also presented with an award as finalist for Community Participation 2016 in recognition of a number of creative environmental programmes working alongside members of the community and partners.

At Scotland’s Local Environmental Quality Conference held in Glasgow there was a launch of a report highlighting that Scotland’s local environmental quality is in decline together with a ‘call to action’ for organisations, partners and community to work together to address this issue and identify and work towards sustainable solutions.

ng homes group has demonstrated commitment to local environmental quality in a variety of ways including the work of ng2 operatives in maintaining the cleaning and clearing of areas within its housing stock. Work includes stair cleaning, litter picking, jet washing and bulk uplifts across the association’s areas.

ng homes staff, concierge, volunteers and members of the community have jointly participated in ‘community clean ups’ and ‘litter picking’, designed and delivered a ‘dog fouling’ campaign with local schools and have worked with Keep Scotland Beautiful and Clean Glasgow on the programme to impact positively on the environment.

Regeneration manager for ng homes, Margaret Layden, said: “Last year we conducted a street audit on local environmental quality in Possilpark and we are in the process of embarking on a similar audit for Springburn in partnership with Keep Scotland Beautiful. We will use the results to work closely with partners and the community on services and interventions to raise the profile of the importance of maintaining a clean environment.”

Derek Robertson, chief executive of Keep Scotland Beautiful, added: “Poor local environmental quality can have a significant impact upon health and wellbeing in communities… programmes undertaken by the LEQ network help to improve local places for people and create community cohesion.”

On accepting the award from Keep Scotland Beautiful director Carol Noble at a recent Board meeting, Bill Rossine, vice chairperson of ng homes, said: “It’s heartwarming to see so many people working hard to improve the environmental quality of our communities. We’re really privileged to be recognised for the work we do for People and Places. This is for the people in the communities we work with.”

ng homes will continue to work closely on community projects relating to clean neighbourhoods. For more information or if anyone wishes to participate in the community programmes please contact regeneration manager Margaret Layden on 0141 630 4288.