Connaught and First Choice Homes Oldham scoop prestigious award

Thursday 15th May 2008

Connaught and First Choice Homes Oldham (FCHO) have been rewarded for their work with local social housing tenants at
the prestigious Housing Excellence Awards.

Connaught, leading provider of housing maintenance and estate management services to the social housing market, and FCHO, received the Tenant Care Scheme of the Year award for their work with the wider community in Oldham while works are ongoing to bring local homes up to the government's Decent Homes Standard.

To secure the accolade Connaught and FCHO demonstrated how they met the needs of local diverse communities by establishing workshops to educate operatives on appreciating religious beliefs and cultures. In addition, Connaught worked closely with the Commission for Racial Equality (CRE) on projects designed at attracting under represented groups into the company, including a scheme to target local schools with the intention of increasing interest from young Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) communities.

As a result, three local BME apprentices and trainees were successfully taken on in the partnership with FCHO.

Connaught were recognised for their commitment in identifying and monitoring tenant needs by holding regular meetings with representatives and local community leaders
throughout the duration of the partnership. The care and consideration shown to elderly and vulnerable tenants during extensive rewiring works, whereby they were transported
off site and looked after by carers and a Connaught Liaison Officer, was also seen as a good example of service given.

Hugh Broadbent, FCHO Chief Executive, said: "First Choice Homes Oldham is delighted to receive this award alongside our partner contractor Connaught.

"Working closely with our partners has enabled us and Connaught to deliver improvements to homes quickly and efficiently and to the satisfaction of our tenants. But
here we went the 'extra mile' and worked with our communities to create training and employment. This is a real partnership - a 'jewel in the crown' for Oldham and
Connaught."

Linda Crosby, Connaught Senior Customer Service Manager for the partnership with FCHO, said: "We are immensely proud and delighted to win this award in partnership with First Choice Homes Oldham.

"Catering for the needs of the tenant is a continuous learning process and that is why we constantly evaluate what additional measures we can put in place. Connaught put the
tenant at the very centre of all that we do and this award is recognition of our commitment to providing unrivalled levels of customer service."

Connaught was also honoured at the awards by winning the Partnering Contractor of the Year award, which was judged on a wide range of criteria including business innovation,
knowledge and skills, collaborative working, best value, health and safety and customer care. Connaught's nomination was endorsed by several partnerships.

The Housing Excellence Awards were held on 16th May at Mere Golf and Country Club, and was sponsored by Northern Housing, Southern Housing & Midlands Housing magazines, bringing together housing representatives to honour the best in the industry.

Posted by 0 for First Choice Homes Oldham (FCHO)