One of the Midlands’ largest housing groups has received significant recognition for its work after being shortlisted in six categories at a prestigious national awards ceremony.

Longhurst Group, which owns and manages over 21,000 properties across the Midlands and East of England, will be represented in force at this year’s 24housing awards, which take place in October.

Those shortlisted include Group Chief Executive, Julie Doyle, who has made the final of the Chief Executive of the Year category: two money saving experts: a community champion and a training scheme that supports people back into work.

“The Group can take great pride in being shortlisted in so many categories,” said Julie Doyle.

“It illustrates the variety and the impressive and innovative nature of the work that colleagues do to improve the lives of our customers.

“The housing sector continues to face significant economic and social challenges but we are always adapting and finding new ways of working to ensure that we provide a high-quality service.

“From a personal point of view, it is a real honour to be shortlisted for an award and I look forward to attending the event to find out more about the fantastic work being done in housing right across the UK.”

Joining Julie in the final is Community Champion, Jemma Betts, who has been shortlisted in both the Community Achievement and Housing Professional of the Year categories, due to the work she does to improve the Beechdale estate in Walsall.

A resident of the estate herself, Jemma has helped customers by making referrals to local charities, employment and training schemes and making applications to local schools. She has also given up her own time to set up a project that helps children build confidence, express themselves and have fun through playing African music.

The Group will also be represented in the Housing Professional of the Year category by money advisor, Pam Mahli. Pam recovered almost £300,000 for Longhurst Group customers in the last financial year, including £60,000 of PIP claims and discretionary housing payments totalling £8,000.

Like Pam, money guidance officer Steve Thomas has saved customers thousands of pounds over the years. Affectionately known as the ‘money man’, Steve has been shortlisted in the Welfare Wise category after successfully appealing 20 out of 22 Department of Work and Pensions decisions last year and securing almost £90,000 of additional benefits for customers.

The fifth finalist is the Axiom Academy which has been shortlisted in the Best Training Scheme category. Delivered by Axiom Housing, the newest housing association to join Longhurst Group, the Academy has supported over 75 people into work in the last five years and, last year, delivered 12,500 hours of learning across 239 courses which provided 80 qualifications.

For more information on Longhurst Group visit longhurst-group.org.uk. 

Image: Two of the entrants, (L) Julie Doyle, Chief Executive, and (R) Jemma Betts, Community Champion