Prestigious award for looking beyond bricks and mortar

Jun 13 2007 By Lex Brown, Irvine Herald

THE housing association who are redeveloping the Vineburgh area of Irvine in partnership with North Ayrshire Council have won a top regeneration award for the second year running.

Cunninghame Housing Association picked up the Jubilee Award at the fifth annual Scottish Business Community Company of the Year contest in Edinburgh. The special honours – which were introduced to celebrate SBC’s 25th birthday — were only granted to the association and ScottishPower in recognition of their impact on communities.

The association, founded in 1984 as a traditional housing association, were honoured for their initiative in linking social inclusion and affordable housing through innovate regeneration activity.

Since 1996 they have poured more than £6m into regeneration initiatives, created up to 90 years worth of employment for long-term jobless, provided support to 27 organisations, created or funded more than 90 childcare places and created three major new community assets.

Last year they received the Inspiration Award for a Small to Medium Enterprise.

Chief executive Frank Sweeney was presented with the award by SBC president Prince Charles at a ceremony in Edinburgh.

Mr Sweeney said the association was delighted to receive the prestigious award.

He went on: “For the last 10 years, we’ve looked beyond bricks and mortar and invested in creating new community facilities, jobs, training and childcare to our tenants and local residents.

“Our reputation as More Than Just A Landlord has been crucial in helping us grow our business.”

The association also fact house in the Lawthorn area of Irvine as well as managing the Victoria House homeless hostel in Irvine.