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The Association was shortlisted in the ‘Working in partnership’ award which featured new and innovative ways of working, improving service delivery as a result of partnership working, and improving the wellbeing of communities through working together.
At a gala event held in Glasgow on Friday 8 November at the DoubleTree by Hilton, the CIH Scotland Housing Awards recognised and celebrated the individuals, organisations and projects that have made a difference to tenants, customers and communities across the country over the last year.
ng homes were recognised for their efforts in developing an Active Travel Strategy supporting tenant access to bikes and addressing key barriers to cycling in the North of Glasgow, supported by community partners Cycling Scotland, St Paul’s Youth Forum (On Bikes), HMP Barlinnie, Cycling UK, Scottish Cycling and The Loading Bay.
Following a highly successful launch of the Active Travel initiatives, further developments have grown into a circular ‘cycle pathway’ with accessible entry and access points at any stage from learning to ride to confidence cycling to community donations and further opportunities.
The formation of the cycle pathway has spearheaded engagement with cycling across local communities, leading to free cycle storage, increased and affordable access to bikes and the delivery of community engagement and employability initiatives. Through the wrap-around approach, ng homes and community partners have provided:
• Installation of 30 secure cycle storage units, providing 150 spaces with over 3,000 households benefitting from safe and secure bicycle storage;
• More than 150 bikes refurbished and distributed free of charge across the community through referrals and requests;
• 40 ‘Dr Bike’ maintenance sessions at satellite sites and the Active Travel Hub; and
• Community engagement from weekly led rides providing a focus on confident cycling for vulnerable groups to pilot sessions for children aged 3—10.
Tenants and residents who have participated in the ng homes cycle pathway with
Hugh Macgregor (Cycling Scotland – far left) and Karen Ballard (Cycle Instructor, Early Years & Bikeability – far right).
Catherine Rossine, ng homes Chair, said “We were delighted to be shortlisted in such a competitive category. I’m extremely proud of everything we are doing as an organisation to support our communities while working closely with community partners to develop our innovative Active Travel pathway and happy we are being recognised for all the hard work. Congratulations to everyone involved”.
Lynne Cooper, Director of Housing Services at ng homes, said “At ng homes, we know that working in partnership allows us to do more, achieve more and deliver more for our communities. This award highlights our commitment to providing more than a home and we look forward to seeing the initiatives continue to grow through North Glasgow and beyond.”
Greg Cann, Project Manager at ng homes, added “Since the project launched, ng homes has accessed over £250k from awards, working with partners to grow and develop these Active Travel initiatives in our communities”.
“This innovative, wrap-around approach to Active Travel means that tenants can join the ‘pathway’ at any point/age and experience the benefits of sustainable travel, thereby providing opportunities for improved wellbeing while reducing travel poverty amongst hard to reach and disadvantaged community groups”.
Community partners at the ng homes Active Travel Hub (left to right): Ricky Baxter (On Bikes), Matt Armstrong & Stuart Bell (Scottish Prison Services, HM Barlinnie),
Susan Ladlaw (Grease Monkey Cycles), Nathan Brown (Scottish Cycling) and Neil Young (St Pauls Youth Forum).
