We are delighted to both congratulate and celebrate the Oaklee Housing teams, tenants, communities and collaborations shortlisted for a collective five awards in the Chartered Institute of Housings’ annual All-Ireland Housing Awards, 2023.
Celebrating housing professionals and their communities across the Island of Ireland, these awards foster and reward best practice and innovation within the social housing management sector.
Nominated and shortlisted in the category of Housing Hero, for her stellar work as scheme coordinator in Hawthorn Court, Celbridge, Co. Kildare, is Geraldine Corkery. Ger has looked after the 45 residents of Hawthorn Court for over 10 years and works tirelessly to support their needs. Dedicated and proactive, Ger empowers the tenants to have their voices heard and ensures that they are receiving the best possible care. In the words of one of the Hawthorn Court residents, “Ger is the glue that holds Hawthorn Court together, she goes the whole nine miles to make our lives here safe, happy, comfortable and enjoyable. Her integrity is unquestionable.” We wish Ger the best of luck and have no doubt, regardless of the outcome, she a winner in all our hearts and minds.
In the Best Housing Story category, one of our hardest working resident’s associations was nominated and shortlisted for their relentless work in building their newly formed community at Churchwell Gardens. One of the last Bundle 1, PPP schemes to be tenanted the pride in their neighbourhood is evident through events and activities organised and designed to galvanise the community.
We are so proud of our Housing Management Team who are shortlisted in the Housing Team of the Year category. A compact team of dedicated professionals, for their size, they certainly punch above their weight and would be worthy winners in this category. Managing over 2200 tenancies, the team are acutely aware of the challenges our tenants face and are always looking for new and innovative ways to work with and help tenants live their lives. The recent and enormously impactful 12 Days of Christmas campaign is a true example of this approach.
Promoting Shared Communities, is at the heart of the joint Oaklee Housing and Comhar Housing ethos. Building inclusive, shared & empowered communities is a fundamental principle when supporting and nurturing their growing communities. The housing scheme at Eustace Demesne in Naas, Co. Kildare is a perfect example of that. We are delighted that the shortlisting of this small housing estate in this category is testament to this.
Tus Nua and Teach Iarnoid, Railway Park, Donegal Town, is the successful outcome of a Working in Partnership relationship. Oaklee Housing, the Health Service Executive Donegal and Donegal County Council successfully collaborated to create two, 4-bedroom high quality purpose built, residential bungalows in the community for people with a disability. The key ethos being a home for life, enhanced quality of life and inclusion in the local community. Shortlisting of this collaboration is a fitting reward for this exceptional project.
The awards will be held on March 23rd in the Europa Hotel, Belfast. We wish each of the shortlisted teams, individuals and groups the very best of luck.
