Sanctuary Group resident Johnny Pat has been shortlisted from more than 300 entries for a prestigious Housing Heroes Award.
Johnny is one of six finalists left in the running for the Inspirational Tenant of the Year accolade for his work with the Sanctuary in Music project.
Thanks to funding from Worcester-based Sanctuary Group, Johnny has successfully delivered a series of 26-week workshops to social housing tenants across Hull, giving residents the opportunity to sing, build their confidence and self-esteem, and engage in a fun and educational activity.
The workshops have also equipped residents with a variety of new skills to help lead them into employment, with three tenants already having secured full time work in the entertainments’ industry.
The courses were such a success that Sanctuary has provided an extra £40,000 funding for Johnny and a number of similar projects are already underway in other parts of the country.
Nick Abbey, Sanctuary’s Group Director – Housing said: “To be shortlisted for this award is testament to the work Johnny has done with the Sanctuary in Music project which has had a very positive impact upon tenants.”
Johnny added: “My main aims are to boost the confidence of those taking part and help them find a job if they can sing. It gives me great pleasure to watch their progress as they go through the course and I’m delighted that my work can make a difference to their lives.”
The new Housing Heroes Award scheme, launched this year, aims to shine the spotlight on the people and teams that are making a difference with their work in the social/affordable housing sector.
Organised by Inside Housing magazine and the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH), the scheme attracted a phenomenal response with submissions from the length and breadth of the UK.
The winners for each category will be revealed at a glittering awards ceremony at London’s Hilton Hotel on 10th June. The ceremony will be hosted by TV presenter and former politician Michael Portillo. The awards are being sponsored by Tribal, Construction Skills and Campbell Tickell.
Steve Benson, President of the CIH, said there were some amazing people working in the housing sector. “Our sector spends a great deal of time talking about policy and strategy, business plans and budgets, our visions and our mission statements. Of course all of these things are really important. But in my experience it is the extraordinary people that do fantastic work for our customers that make the real difference.”
Inside Housing’s events director Ted Stevens, said: “All the finalists have done brilliantly in getting this far. Well done to Johnny for getting shortlisted. The competition was really fierce with well over 50 entries in some categories.”