Nottingham Housing Heroes 2023 winners
Many congratulations to all the Nottingham Housing Heroes finalists!
It was wonderful to be able to hold our first in-person ceremony for three years at Nottingham's Council House, Thursday 16 March and recognise all of this year's finalists and to announce the winners.
Many congratulations to everybody who entered and gave us the chance to shine a light and say thank you to the unsung heroes of our estates.
Here are your 2023 winners:
Miss Green
Miss Green is a Street and Block Champion at Lenton Green.
She reached out to Nottingham City Homes about community tensions in her area – specifically about the use of the green space opposite her home and the Palmer Court independent living community – with residents complaining of nuisance being caused by local children on the area.
Wanting these issues addressing in a positive manner, she brought together the younger and older residents by organising a Christmas meal to bring those affected by this issue together.
Miss Green worked tirelessly to make the event a success – working with key stakeholders and community organisations.
Off the back of this, relationships continue to be built – with plans under way of future events aimed at bringing the old and young together – including celebrations for the king’s coronation later this year.
Gillian Slater
Gill used to work for NCH as a Supported Housing Warden. Since retiring several years ago. Since then, she has continued to support the residents at Hazelhurst Gardens independent living community.
Gill organises a weekly lunch for the residents. She charges a minimal amount, buys the food and cooks the dinner for the residents. She also organised a Christmas lunch and Party and encourages all of the residents to join in.
Gill is always happy to help her neighbours with any queries or in any other way she can. She’s even been known to check on unwell residents in the night. Caring and thoughtful, she’s a credit to her community.
AJ Sports
AJ Sports, has been providing, through sport, positive alternatives to young people who might otherwise run the risk of following a more negative path in Lenton Abbey since 2014. But, in recent years, they’ve become far more than that.
In 2019, they took on the management of the Shelia Roper Community Centre so they could have a permanent base in the heart of the community.
Last year they helped 70 young people to get involved in Nottinghamshire Police’s Black History Month Celebrations by taking part in sports activities on the Forest Recreation Ground.
They’ve helped address issues faced by young people by obtaining funding from the Police and Crime Commissioner to run a Saturday afternoon youth session from the Shelia Roper Centre. And they also host regular coffee mornings at the centre as way to encourage local residents to take part in family activities and have their say on local issues in the area.
Shanine Fasasi
Shanine is an inspirational leader – using her passion for cultural diversity in a variety of positive and engaging projects within the community.
Some of these projects include a weekly women’s empowerment programme that sees women come together to learn sewing skills , which can be used to start their own businesses.
She also delivers a weekly food parcel and hot meal project. And through her organisation, Diversify Education and Communities CIC she works with a range of partner organisations to celebrate cultures and bring communities together.
Shanine is a true inspiration – always striving to help others.
Snapewood Community Centre
The Snapewood Community Centre is going from strength-to-strength thanks to a new committee that has come together to help make the centre a hub for the Snapewood community.
Led by Mandy, Chair of the committee, they have worked tirelessly over the past few months to both deliver existing projects and commitments as well as organising new activities – including Halloween and Christmas parties, and craft fairs – helping to attract more than 500 local people.
The group’s enthusiasm is infectious and has helped to attract new volunteers. They have ambitious plans for the centre - including line dancing classes for a Sport England project to help to get older people active.
Shifting your mindset (Dad's garden project)
These are a group of dads who have come together to transform Fircroft Community Garden in Bilborough into a green, safe space, that is helping individuals and the local community improve their wellbeing, raise awareness of climate change, reduce isolation and foster positive connections.
They have a real focus on creating a welcoming environment for Dads and men to come together, talk about how they’re feeling and to share their thoughts and ideas to support each other to become better people and fathers to their children.
And at the same time, they’re helping to create a great outdoor space for the wider local community – including the growing of food produce, flowers and even building a wellbeing bench in memory of people that have lost their battle to mental health.
Crabtree Community Centre
The weekly social eating project, in the heart of the Crabtree estate in Bulwell was first set-up in response to residents asking for support during the pandemic. It’s become an enormous success, helping to tackle loneliness and isolation amongst the older community in particular.
More than 25 local residents meet at the centre each week to enjoy a home cooked meal and a range of activities including crafts, bingo, clothing swap, exercise classes and much more!
The group has further developed into an advice hub where those who are not confident accessing main stream provision can get help and advice.
Tranai Todd
Tranai started his own community organisation ‘Support through sport’ over a year ago – with the aim of using the power of sport to help and mentor young people. In the year that it’s been running, hundreds of young people have been supported. Tranai’s motivation is to act as a role model to help young people at risk of following the wrong path to harness their full potential through sport.
But he doesn’t stop there. Tranai has also helped people away from sport. This has included supporting a young person who has a father with disabilities – helping with the shopping as well as providing advice and support when needed.
A young person himself, Tranai leads by example. Putting all his time and energy into supporting others and showing other young people how they can make a positive difference in their lives.
Amare
Amare was one of AJ Sports’ first ever members – starting with them from the age of 7, when they first began outreach work in Lenton Abbey.
He’s grown into a well-rounded individual – a great communicator and a great role model for his club and local community.
Amare now helps AJ Sports manage their under 6s football team and is doing pre Football Association courses to be able to take on and manage the team when he turns 16.
His amazing attitude was recognised recently at Nottinghamshire Police’s Black History Month Celebrations. Amare took part and was awarded the Best Young Person award for his participation.
Frank McCoid
Frank has been a block champion for his Palmer Court independent living community for more than four years.
During the pandemic, Frank was a star. If there were an issue with a tenant or the building, he would contact his Independent Living Co-ordinator straight away so the issues could be resolved.
He always checks on his neighbours – and is happy to provide them with help and support, whether it’s driving them to appointments or picking up essentials from the shop.
Frank will often do a daily walk around the scheme and let us know if he spots any concerns. He truly cares about where he lives and those who live there.
Shifting your mindset (BAME Dad's Programme)
Over the past year a group of selfless men have been taking bold steps to improve and transform the lives of men or fathers within Nottingham – helping them to become resilient and empowered so they can reach their potential
Providing male-focused programmes with tailored support, services, courses, and events they are helping to improve the wellbeing, confidence, and lives of those who attend.
This has included providing the first BAME Dads Programme in Nottingham to empower and support fathers to understand their role as fathers in their children’s lives.
More than 90% of the men who have attended their group have felt it’s had a positive impact on their lives.
Marie McGlinchey
Four years ago Marie was diagnosed with Stage 4 bowel cancer and given the heart-breaking news that she only had 18 months to live. Her diagnosis also coincided with a major retrofit improvement works project at her Byron Court home. Despite her difficult health issues, Marie engaged and supported the improvements – always thinking of others by giving valuable and much needed feedback to the benefit of all the residents.
Thankfully, following intense treatment, Marie is now in remission and she continues to engage pro-actively with NCH on current Decent Neighbourhood improvements, aiming to improve the health and wellbeing of all residents with positive input and constructive feedback always.
Marie has also been a Street and Block Champion for a number of years and is always willing to get involved to support her neighbours and improve where she lives.
Stockhill and Ladbrooke Tenants and Residents (SALTAR)
We were delighted to award SALTAR with a lifetime achievement award for everything the group has achieved over many years.
Stockhill and Ladbrooke Tenants and Residents (SALTAR) is a tenants and residents’ association based in Basford. Over the years, they’ve made a real difference to the lives of local residents and have been at the forefront of projects, fund raising and activities and events to help improve the local area for everyone.
Their achievements over the years are too many to mention, but highlights include leading on improvements to Stockhill Park to benefit the whole community. They’ve arranged countless litter-picks in the local area, involving local schools, councillors and community groups.
In 2019, for the celebration of a centenary council housing, SALTAR led on a wonderful celebration event to mark the Stockhill estate being the oldest estate in Nottingham.
And through countless events over the years, they’ve raised money for charities and the wider local community as well as being intrinsic to bringing the local community together.
Angie is a real gem for the residents of Lenton Abbey and we were delighted to award her with a lifetime achievement in recognition of this.
She supports her local area in so many ways. She’s a Street Champion and is a vital link between Nottingham City Homes and local residents.
Angie is a key cog in the running of the Sheila Roper Community Centre – working alongside AJ Sports who manage the centre, to help make it a real hub for the Lenton Abbey community.
Always looking at ways to increase her skills and takes advantage of courses run through NCH’s Tenant Academy, Angie works tirelessly for the residents of Lenton Abbey and without her hard work and dedication, Lenton Abbey would not be the place it is today.
Kade's Community Garden
Kade Cannop passed away unexpectedly from a cardiac arrest while walking through Broxtowe Country Park. He was just 29.
What started as a few friends and family laying flowers has now blossomed into a local memorial garden in the park for their good friend. His tragic passing has brought generations together in solidarity to look after the final resting place of their beloved Kade.
Flowers and vegetables for the local community have been planted and Kade’s father Lyton has been supporting Kade's friend in keeping the site beautifully maintained. Kade’s memory lives on in this beautiful garden.
We were delighted to award the garden a special tribute award in memory of Kade and the way his friends and family keeps his memory alive.
