TPAS Scotland celebrates best practice in tenant participation at National Good Practice Awards
The National Good Practice Awards celebrates outstanding tenant participation, community engagement and partnership working across Scotland’s housing sector.
The annual awards recognise tenants, landlords, staff teams and community groups who are making a measurable difference to housing services and the communities they serve.
This year’s winners reflected the breadth and impact of tenant participation across Scotland, from environmental action and inclusive communication to scrutiny, service redesign and community-led projects.
Kingdom Housing Association won the Community Environmental Award for its Meet Up & Clean Up initiative, which brought local people together through community litter picks to mark World Earth Day. The project has helped create cleaner neighbourhoods, remove environmental hazards and strengthen pride in local communities.
Highland Council received the Creativity in Tenant Participation Award for its work with the Gypsy Traveller Women’s Group. Built on research, trust and partnership, the group has supported skills development, wellbeing, community-led newsletters and stronger relationships with the Gypsy Traveller community.
The Good Practice in Communicating with Tenants and Residents Award went to The Moray Council for its tenant-led newsletter project. Through the Improving Tenants Voice initiative, a tenant editorial group helped redesign the newsletter to make it less corporate and more focused on tenants’ priorities, with strong feedback following its first edition.
Ochil View Housing Association won the Good Practice in Widening Participation Award for Come Dine With Us, an informal social dining initiative designed to reduce barriers such as isolation and financial pressure. The project creates welcoming food-sharing spaces where local residents can meet, talk and share experiences.
The Young Person in Tenant Participation Award was presented to Tanya Thomson of Waverley Housing Association, who has played a central role in bringing tenants together to improve their local area. Tanya has helped organise activity including door-knocking, leaflet distribution and surveys, while supporting work around complex local issues.
Grampian Housing Association won the Good Practice in Involving Tenants to Shape and Improve Services Award for the Grampian Deal. Developed following tenant surveys, focus groups and engagement sessions, the organisation-wide initiative is reshaping services around four key themes: customer service, communication, contractors and community. It also includes a Great Neighbourhood Award recognising kindness in local communities.
In the Tenant Group of the Year category, Scottish Borders Housing Association was named runner up for the Scottish Borders Tenants Organisation, an independent tenant-led group that has worked in partnership with its landlord for more than 23 years to influence repairs, communication, accessibility and engagement.
The category winner was Link Group’s Tenant Scrutiny Panel, recognised for its in-depth review of the Aids and Adaptations Service. Over eight months, tenants with lived experience helped scrutinise the service, demonstrating the essential role adaptations play in supporting dignity and independence. Link Group’s Scrutiny Panel also received the evening’s Outstanding Achievement Award, recognising it as the best overall submission.
In the Tenant Participation Officer of the Year category, Louise McNeilage of Scottish Borders Housing Association was named runner up for her trusted, inclusive and highly respected approach to tenant engagement across the region.
The winner was Rebecca Irons of The Moray Council, recognised for transforming tenant participation through trust and technology. Her work includes developing a community interactive map that allows tenants to identify issues in their area and understand how their views can influence decisions.
The Tenant of the Year – Alan Ferguson Award runner up was David Wright, a volunteer with Govan Housing Association, recognised for his consistent commitment to tackling environmental issues and improving his local community.
The award winner was Cath Reilly, a volunteer with Fife Council, who was recognised for more than 40 years of dedication to improving housing and supporting her community. Her achievements include spearheading a campaign to open a new community store after the local shop closed and running a furniture recycling project to reduce landfill and support local residents.
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.
“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.”
TPAS Scotland congratulated all winners, runners up and shortlisted organisations, recognising their contribution to good governance, stronger communities and better outcomes for tenants and residents.