North East tenants and housing professionals are celebrating after being recognised for their work with young people in social housing at a prestigious awards ceremony.

North East Tenants, Residents and Landlords Together (NETRALT) were the winners of the Good Practice in Involving All – Youth Involvement award at the Tenant Participation Advisory Service Scotland (TPAS Scotland) National Good Practice Awards 2016 on November 18 at the Fairmont Hotel, St Andrews hosted by STV weather presenter Sean Batty.

Catherine Coutts of Castlehill Housing Association and Katie Taylor of Grampian Housing Association were presented with the award after they took the lead in managing and facilitating a series of radio shows involving local communities, younger tenants and housing professionals.

The aim was to provide younger tenants and applicants with the opportunity to participate in an exciting and rewarding project, whilst informing them about all aspects of social housing including housing options, waiting lists and expectations, allocations, homelessness, benefits and support.

Tanya, a young Castlehill tenant who took part in one of the shows, said: “Choosing to participate in the NETRALT radio show on social housing was a fantastic opportunity to offer advice to young people based on my own experience, in other words, turning a difficult chapter in my life into a positive. The radio show was a fun and new experience which furthered my confidence and interpersonal skills.”

NETRALT are looking for young tenants to take part in future radio shows throughout Aberdeenshire and Moray.

If you are between the ages of 16 and 25 years old, are a social housing tenant, waiting to be housed, or are just interested in finding out more, please call Catherine on 01224 628109 or email catherine.coutts@castlehillha.co.uk.