Incommunities Award

Incommunities win major housing award

Incommunities scooped the Yorkshire and Humberside What We Are Proud Of Award 2011 with their fantastic Your Sporting Chance project. The What We Are Proud Of Awards were established by the National Housing Federation to celebrate outstanding projects run by housing associations across the country.

The Yorkshire and Humberside regional final took place at the Royal York Hotel in York on Saturday 18 June. Those attending the event heard presentations from all the finalists and voted for the project they felt had the greatest impact on individual lives and the wider community.

The Bradford-based housing group also won the top prize in the category, Best partnership working.

Incommunities will now represent Yorkshire and Humberside at the overall finals, the national winner will be announced at the Federation annual conference in Birmingham in September.

Your Sporting Chance

Your Sporting Chance is a groundbreaking initiative that positively contributes to community cohesion, reduces anti-social behaviour and aims to reverse the growing stereotypical views of youths today. It works with professional sporting organisations and using the brand and players to encourage engagement.

The initiative offers young adults at risk of social, education or employment exclusion the opportunity to gain valuable life skills from work experience, education to self respect and team work. Already over 50 young peoples’ lives have benefited in the project which works with three sporting partners - Keighley Cougars RLFC, Bradford Bulls and Bradford City F.C.

Funding from Incommunities Foundation – the housing group’s charitable arm - supports the work of three youth workers who provide a key link between the sporting partners and the young people.

This year the awards also had four new categories in each region. These awards are judged by an independent panel of judges in each region and the winners were also announced at the awards event.

Best impact on residents and Best contribution to the community

 Chevin Housing Association Ltd (A member of the Together Housing Group)

 South Kirkby - Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS)

Outstanding individual

 Alan Metcalf - Connect Housing Association - Junk Beatz

Best partnership working

 Incommunities - Your Sporting Chance

Michelle Park, National Housing Federation Yorkshire and Humberside Lead Manager said:

‘Incommunities is a fantastic winner of the Yorkshire and Humberside regional award and we are delighted they will be representing the region at the What We Are Proud Of national final. The project really engages with young people and has a huge impact on so many people.

‘Housing associations in Yorkshire and Humberside have a great deal to be proud of. All the finalists, winners of the new categories and especially the overall regional winner really showcase that housing associations are about so much more than bricks and mortar. They are all investing in individuals and communities throughout Yorkshire and Humberside.

‘Also many thanks to our sponsors Morrison Facilities Ltd for their continued support of the What We Are Proud Of Awards’

Geraldine Howley, Incommunities Group Chief Executive said:

‘We are thrilled that the project has achieved a double success in these prestigious awards.’

‘Your Sporting Chance combines the power of sport as an influential role model and effective youth project work. This successful team work is making a positive difference to the lives of the young people involved.

‘As the area’s biggest social housing landlord we are committed to building strong communities and by working with our partners giving young people a sporting chance.’