Welsh Housing Awards 2025
Read all the shortlisted entries into this award category, excellence in health and wellbeing, at the Welsh Housing Awards (WHA) 2025 and find out who won the award on the night.
This award recognises organisations that have demonstrated excellence in their approach to the health and wellbeing of staff and/or tenants.
Winning project name
Hedyn and Dragons in the community
Winning organisation
Heydn
Statement of support
In alignment with Hedyn’s mission to cultivate thriving, inclusive communities through collaboration, empowerment, and wellbeing, and guided by our core values of equity, partnership, and resilience, we are proud to highlight the evolving partnership between former Newport City Homes (NCH) and Dragons in the Community (DragonsIC).
Together, Hedyn and DragonsIC have united to support NCH customers through the Dragons’ diverse and fully inclusive ‘Family of Provisions’—a suite of over 20 initiatives designed to promote health, wellbeing, and social connection. These provisions span community health outreach, sporting memories, autism and mental health support, services for the visually impaired, military and veterans support, disability inclusion, and additional learning needs, reaching over 10,000 residents across Newport.
Tackling isolation and promoting wellbeing
Recognising shared goals around reducing isolation, improving health outcomes, and removing barriers to participation, NCH and DragonsIC identified a powerful opportunity to introduce these initiatives to NCH customers and the wider community.
One standout success from last year has been the revitalisation of NCH’s 55+ schemes through the introduction of Kurling sessions, which have become a catalyst for physical activity and social engagement. Following the popularity of these sessions, five more additional schemes have now acquired their own Kurling kits, ensuring the legacy of these activities continues beyond DragonsIC visits.
This work directly addresses key challenges faced by older residents, including social isolation, limited mobility, and a lack of accessible wellbeing activities. Data shows that 65 per cent of NCH customers aged 65+ live alone, rising to 77 per cent for those over 85, with 34 per cent of 55+ customers reporting poor physical and mental wellbeing.
DragonsIC have embraced these challenges, using their inclusive approach to reignite enthusiasm, build confidence, and foster community spirit.
Expanding the partnership
Off the Streets pilot
A 10-week rugby-based programme designed to engage young people—particularly those at risk of anti-social behaviour—through sport, personal development, and community connection. Delivered in partnership with Dragons RFC and local schools, the project builds life skills such as confidence, discipline, leadership, and resilience, while fostering a sense of belonging within the “Dragons Family.”
Participants receive incentives like match tickets and are supported to progress into local rugby clubs, creating long-term pathways. The programme contributes to safer, more connected communities and aligns with Hedyn’s strategic commitment to cross-sector collaboration and the Wellbeing of Future Generations Act themes: health and wellbeing, cohesive communities, and environmental sustainability.
University of South Wales – community ambassadors
A new pathway has been created for youth work students to gain practical experience with DragonsIC, helping them develop skills for future employment in sport and community development.
Newport Transport – removing transport barriers
A new partnership with Newport Transport has enabled matchday experiences and improved access to DragonsIC sessions, helping residents from across the city engage with the full range of activities.
Real impact, real voices
This collaboration has brought people together, stimulated memories, and encouraged residents to reconnect with their communities. One resident shared:
- “We had become mainly confined to our room or bubble for so long that we lacked the drive to stay active or socialise—not anymore. Having the Dragons visit us regularly gives us the enthusiasm and passion to keep our bodies and minds active through fun activities like quizzes, chats, and indoor Kurling.”
The partnership has delivered tangible outcomes: improved mental stimulation, enhanced mobility, stronger peer relationships, and a renewed sense of purpose. The resident-led Kurling clubs now thriving across schemes are a testament to the lasting legacy of this work.
Outcomes and achievements
Since the inception of the partnership, Hedyn and Dragons in the Community (DragonsIC) have engaged and directly supported over 1,250 residents across more than seven Hedyn 55+ schemes.
Over the past year alone, DragonsIC have delivered more than 65 visits, with an additional 65+ sessions already planned for 2025/26. With an average attendance of approximately 15 customers per session, this equates to over 600 meaningful engagements with Hedyn customers in the last 12 months.
In addition to scheme-based activities, DragonsIC have rewarded customer participation with four Matchday experiences, enabling nearly 200 residents to attend games at Rodney Parade—many for the first time. These experiences, made possible through the generosity of DragonsIC, included free match tickets, transport, and merchandise, removing financial and logistical barriers that would have otherwise prevented participation.
This partnership has not only strengthened participation and reduced isolation, but also redefined how Hedyn approaches health and wellbeing. Inspired by the success of this collaboration, Hedyn’s health and wellbeing coaches co-design and deliver bespoke wellbeing packages across Newport.
As a result, the partnership has enabling a more centralised, strategic, and person-centred approach to health and wellbeing provision, fully aligned with Hedyn’s strategic commitments: inclusion, empowerment, and community-led change.
Shortlisted entries
Merthyr Tydfil Housing Association - Digital Social Cafe
Application entry
- Project name: Digital Social Cafe
- Lead organisation: Merthyr Tydfil Housing Association
Statement of support
We facilitated regular digital cafes in Georgetown and Treharris. These sessions, run in a coffee morning format, provided digital inclusion support, healthy lifestyle support, information and advice from local organisations and slow cooking sessions. Targeting healthy habits, we invited local organisations to advise residents on scams, energy and financial inclusion. Community development also facilitated Zentangling sessions for the first time, which became a favorite activity from residents while also manifesting great improvements to health and wellbeing. Digital inclusion is another key branch of the project, and we provided support with residents to build their digital skills and confidence during cafe sessions. Tablet computers were distributed to participants to support them to achieve their aims, from connecting with loved ones from Ukraine and South Africa, to becoming a digital champion within their resident group.
Outcomes and achievements
A project participant, who had recently been diagnosed with dementia, felt socially involved in the project and noted an improvement in their wellbeing by connecting with other residents they had not met before and forged closer links with key services.
100 per cent of participants feel that they are feeling more connected with their community, improved mental and emotional wellbeing, and improved awareness of local services.
One group now runs without Merthyr Housing staff direction, becoming self-sustained. The resident group meets once a week to help one another with technology, or just a social hour over a hot beverage and with three designated ‘50+ digital champions’. Tom, community development officer, has not stepped too far from the group, providing support as and when the group requires it.
One resident made a saving of £3,000 after accessing our project and support our tenancy sustainability officer following a referral, leading onto tenancy support to address other matters such as accessibility issues and non-priority debt at risk of becoming priority debt.
Zentangling sessions are scheduled to run in additional locations this autumn due to demand.
The digital inclusion element of the project has now expanded. We now work with Jangala and Virgin Media O2 to distribute a provision of 'Get Boxes' which act similar to a broadband router without a phone line, relying on a SIM card. This will ensure participants are able to access internet at no cost while building their confidence, reducing isolation and life skills.
Since the start of the project in winter 2024, over 150 residents have accessed, and sustained at least one element of the project.
The project received funding in summer 2025 to expand on its activities to help reduce the risk on dementia in residents aged 50+. The grant is via Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council's Community Dementia Prevention Programme Fund.
United Welsh - Skills for Life: building resilience and opportunities
Application entry
- Project name: Skills for Life: building resilience and opportunities
- Lead organisation: United Welsh
Statement of support
United Welsh is a not-for-profit organisation providing homes and related services in South Wales. We provide over 6,800 homes for people across 11 local authority areas, and our services help thousands more in our communities.
Our customer involvement team delivers a range of resident-focused services, events, and training opportunities, all shaped by a strong understanding of the diverse strengths and aspirations within our communities. The team is committed to making sure support is inclusive and resident-driven, always listening to what people want to see in our communities.
Over the past year, the team has worked to support residents in achieving their personal and professional goals, with a strong focus on improving wellbeing. Through a person-centred approach, they have identified individual interests, arranged diverse training opportunities and provided tailored support into volunteering and employment pathways.
The team works collaboratively, beginning with referrals from our neighbourhood and money advice teams who connect them with residents. From there, time is spent with each person to explore their goals, aspirations, and any learning or support needs. This could be that they want to gain employment in a new industry and need training, or they have some free time and want to volunteer or would like to learn a new skill.
Training has been diverse, including courses and awareness sessions about:
- ‘Live Life to the Full’ – an empowering and practical course using a CBT approach for learning key life skills, building confidence and managing anxiety
- Mental Health First Aid
- British Sign Language Level 1
- First Aid course with defibrillator awareness
- Cookery courses, building in basic maths skills
- Digital and IT skills
- Coercive Control Awareness
- Introduction to Teaching Assistant.
Each course is key in helping residents build confidence and life skills, while also fostering new relationships and helping to reduce social isolation.
The customer involvement team also supports nearly 120 volunteers who contribute in a variety of ways to help make our communities stronger and more connected. Our volunteer coordinator meets regularly with each volunteer to understand their strengths and ambitions, helping to match them with meaningful roles where they can succeed and make a real difference.
The team works innovatively to combine practical life skills with wellbeing-focussed activities, adapting content to meet residents’ needs. This is done with the help of strong partnerships with local organisations, training providers, and community stakeholders, making sure every offer is tailored to our communities.
Giving feedback on a Live Life to the Full course, one attendee said: “The course is outstanding. It was full of new coping strategies to help me deal with the stresses of daily life. United Welsh ran the course in a very safe and calm environment, and I would highly recommend it.”
Another said: “This course made me challenge myself to get out and socialise more, to help with my low self-esteem.”
One particularly inspiring journey is by our resident Donna. When she first connected with our customer involvement team, she was quiet, shy, and wasn’t sure what to expect. Since then, she’s become a driving force in her local community, volunteering her time to help organise events and becoming the go-to person for engaging with other residents. Donna has also started attending training courses that the team arrange, and has now achieved her Level 1 in British Sign Language. She is also a member of our Community Grants panel and the Communications Residents group, giving feedback and helping to make decisions that impact the wider community. Donna is a shining example of what can happen when our residents are given the space, support and encouragement to grow and excel.
Outcomes and achievements
Over the past year, the team has helped residents overcome more than 168 barriers to participating in training courses, volunteering and gaining employment. This includes covering childcare costs for interviews and training, offering guidance on interview techniques and CV development, funding travel and essential licences and providing ongoing mental health and wellbeing assistance.
These efforts have led to:
- 21 residents supported into employment, in sectors including construction, retail, hospitality, and care
- 44 volunteering placements in Living Well homes for people aged over 55, running gardening clubs, bingo, memory cafes, men’s clubs, and arts and crafts
- 227 attendances by residents at the training and wellbeing courses. While some individuals attended more than one course, this figure highlights the strong engagement and ongoing demand for learning opportunities within our communities.
Alison, one of our volunteers, described how overcoming her own confidence barrier helped her to lead social activities that help others feel less isolated and more connected: “I had seven people playing bingo, it was amazing and they really enjoyed it. They didn’t want me to go!” Her story reflects the ripple effect of this work, where personal growth leads to meaningful community impact.
