The awards celebrate tenants, landlords, workforces and community groups who are driving change in housing services and the communities they cater for.

Kingdom Housing Association won the Community Environmental Award for its Meet Up & Clean Up initiative, which united locals through community litter picks to observe World Earth Day. 

The initiative has helped facilitate cleaner neighbourhoods, eliminate environmental dangers and boost local pride.

Highland Council was awarded the Creativity in Tenant Participation Award for its work with the Gypsy Traveller Women’s Group. Centred on research, trust and partnership, the
group has supported skills development, wellbeing and community-led newsletters. It has also boosted relationships with members of the Gypsy Traveller community.

The Good Practice in Communicating with Tenants and Residents Award was given to Moray Council for its tenant-led newsletter project. Through the Improving Tenants Voice initiative, a tenant editorial group helped restyle the newsletter to make it less corporate and more centred around tenants’ priorities. 

Ochil View Housing Association won the Good Practice in Widening Participation Award for Come Dine With Us, a dining initiative designed to tackle loneliness and financial pressure. The project delivers food-sharing spaces where local residents can meet and talk.

The Young Person in Tenant Participation Award was presented to the Waverley Housing Association’s Tanya Thomson, who has played a central role in bringing tenants together to improve their local area. Thomson has helped lead operations such as door-knocking, leaflet distribution and surveys, while aiding activity around intricate local
issues.

Grampian Housing Association won the Good Practice in Involving Tenants to Shape and Improve Services Award for the Grampian Deal. Set up after tenant surveys, focus groups and engagement sessions, the organisation-wide initiative is reshaping services centred around customer service, communication, contractors and community. 

In the Tenant Group of the Year category, Scottish Borders Housing Association was selected as the runner up for the Scottish Borders Tenants Organisation, an independent
tenant-led group that has operated together with its landlord for over 23 years to influence repairs, communication, accessibility and engagement.

The category winner was Link Group’s Tenant Scrutiny Panel, awarded for its thorough review of the Aids and Adaptations Service. Link Group’s Scrutiny Panel was also awarded the Outstanding Achievement Award, in which it was recognised as the most prestigious overall submission.

In the Tenant Participation Officer of the Year category, Louise McNeilage of Scottish Borders Housing Association was awarded runner up position for her solid, inclusive and commended method of tenant engagement across the region.

The winner was Rebecca Irons of Moray Council, who was commended for changing tenant participation with trust-building and technology. Her contributions include creating a community interactive map that enables tenants to identify issues in their area and comprehend how their views can drive decisions.

The Tenant of the Year – Alan Ferguson Award runner up was David Wright. Wright is a volunteer with Govan Housing Association, who was recognised for his contribution towards addressing environmental issues and improving the local community. 

The award winner was Cath Reilly. A volunteer with Fife Council, Reilly was awarded for over 40 years of work for enhancing housing and helping her community. Her contributions include leading a campaign to open a new community shop after the local shop shut down and managing a furniture recycling project to reduce landfill. 

Eveline Armour, chief executive of TPAS Scotland, said: “These awards show the very best of tenant participation in action across Scotland.”

“Each winner and runner up demonstrates what can be achieved when tenants, landlords and communities work together with trust, openness and a shared commitment to improving services.

“From tenant-led scrutiny and service redesign to inclusive engagement, environmental action and community support, this year’s entries show that participation is not a one-off
Activity. It is a culture of listening, learning and acting on what tenants say.”

Armour added: “The standard of submissions was exceptionally strong, and every finalist should be proud of the role they are playing in strengthening tenant voice and improving housing services across Scotland.”