At its 35th AGM on 16 September, Glen Oaks presented its annual Community Champion Awards, recognising tenants, staff and partner organisations who make a positive difference across its communities. The awards celebrate those who go above and beyond to support others, strengthen community connections and improve local lives.

This year’s awards reflect the Scottish Housing Day theme, ‘Healthy Homes, Healthy Futures’, which highlights the important role housing plays in supporting health and wellbeing.

By recognising people who make a positive impact in their communities, the awards show that good housing is about more than bricks and mortar. It’s about helping people thrive and creating healthier, stronger communities.

The winner of the Customer Service Excellence Award, Erin Williams, tenant sustainability officer, received the highest number of nominations, with 11 tenants recognising her commitment to supporting people through difficult circumstances.

Through tenancy support visits and direct engagement with tenants, Erin helps ensure homes are safe, healthy and free from issues such as damp and mould, while making sure tenants know how to report repairs and other concerns.

The visits also provide an opportunity to connect tenants with practical support including energy advice, welfare support, funding opportunities and community services. By taking the time to understand individual circumstances, Erin helps tenants access the support they need to improve their wellbeing and sustain successful tenancies.

One tenant said: “I would like to nominate Erin Williams for the Customer Service Excellence Award. Erin is extremely helpful, kind and genuinely cares about people. After visiting us at home, she did much more than simply give us information. She contacted different organisations to arrange support for us and continued to follow things up.

“She also went the extra mile to help my partner find a perfect place to practise drums with his whole band. We really appreciated her time, effort and kindness. Erin listens, takes action and always tries to find a solution. She truly deserves to be recognised for the difference she makes.”

Kirsty Chalmers, customer service director at Glen Oaks Housing Association, said: “We were delighted to see Erin receive this year’s Customer Service Excellence Award. What makes this recognition particularly special is that it came directly from tenants whose lives she has helped to improve.

“Erin’s work shows how important tenancy support can be. Her visits are about much more than checking a property. They provide an opportunity to listen, understand what people are facing and connect them with practical help that can make a real difference. They also enable us to take a proactive approach to issues such as damp and mould by identifying concerns early, offering advice, arranging any necessary repairs and helping tenants maintain healthy, safe and comfortable homes.

“The theme of this year’s Scottish Housing Day reminds us that a healthy home is about more than the condition of a building. It’s also about feeling supported, secure and able to access the help you need when challenges arise. Erin’s commitment to our tenants demonstrates how housing staff can play an important role in improving wellbeing and helping people thrive.”