Recognising fantastic contributions
At the end of November I was a guest at the prestigious Welsh Housing Awards in Cardiff where CIH celebrated achievements across the breadth of the housing sector in Wales. The awards were presented by Jocelyn Davies AM, Deputy Minister for Housing, who praised all the shortlisted entries for the positive contribution they are making as organisations and individuals.
It was great to hear about successful work in areas as diverse as environmental sustainability, developing and regenerating communities and delivering customer driven services. You can see the list of the winners here.
My particular role in the event was to present the award for Welsh Housing Hero, as part of my campaign throughout my Presidential year to recognise the extraordinary people who work in our sector and make such a difference.
The award went to Adrian (Ady) Gratton from Llamau, the charity working in South Wales to improve the lives of socially excluded, homeless people. Ady (shown on the right above) works with young people in supported housing, where his enthusiasm and passion inspires all of his colleagues. He recently recruited a team of young people that he was working with to take part in a soccer tournament. He arranged training sessions outside of his working hours and made sure that everyone got kit. He raised funds and generally enthused the team, who went on to win the tournament. This helped fill everyone with greater confidence, pride and a sense of achievement.
Ady is also working with another young man with Aspergers. He is devoting his own time to supporting and encouraging him, and hopes that this young man will compete in the 2012 Para-Olympics in London.
Frances Beecher, Chief Executive of Llamau, tells me that Ady has a great rapport with all of the service users and that she couldn't think of a better person to get this award.
An inspiring story. I look forward to recognising more of housing's heroic people in 2009. Meanwhile, I'd like to take this opportunity to wish all of you season's greetings and a happy New Year.
It was great to hear about successful work in areas as diverse as environmental sustainability, developing and regenerating communities and delivering customer driven services. You can see the list of the winners here.
My particular role in the event was to present the award for Welsh Housing Hero, as part of my campaign throughout my Presidential year to recognise the extraordinary people who work in our sector and make such a difference.
The award went to Adrian (Ady) Gratton from Llamau, the charity working in South Wales to improve the lives of socially excluded, homeless people. Ady (shown on the right above) works with young people in supported housing, where his enthusiasm and passion inspires all of his colleagues. He recently recruited a team of young people that he was working with to take part in a soccer tournament. He arranged training sessions outside of his working hours and made sure that everyone got kit. He raised funds and generally enthused the team, who went on to win the tournament. This helped fill everyone with greater confidence, pride and a sense of achievement.
Ady is also working with another young man with Aspergers. He is devoting his own time to supporting and encouraging him, and hopes that this young man will compete in the 2012 Para-Olympics in London.
Frances Beecher, Chief Executive of Llamau, tells me that Ady has a great rapport with all of the service users and that she couldn't think of a better person to get this award.
An inspiring story. I look forward to recognising more of housing's heroic people in 2009. Meanwhile, I'd like to take this opportunity to wish all of you season's greetings and a happy New Year.
posted by Howard Farrand at
10:41
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