Affordable family housing project takes award

Ulva Ferry housing project

The Surf awards for best practice in community regeneration 2017 have been announced.

The annual awards, delivered by Scotland’s Regeneration Forum, Surf, in partnership between the Scottish government, selected winners across five categories. A housing category was included for the first time.

The winners were:

Creative Regeneration: The Broomhill Project (Greenock). Delivered by RIG Arts, with support from River Clyde Homes, the project connects local residents with artists in creative collaborations, empowering people in the community to develop their ability and impetus to affect change.

Youth Employability: LinkLiving Step On (Edinburgh, Falkirk & Fife). Provides support to young people seeking employment, education and training by helping identify goals and removing barriers to progress using approaches such as a ‘Steps to Resilience’ programme.

Community-led Regeneration: Dundee International Women’s Centre. DIWC’s vision is to provide a space where women and girls from black and minority ethnic communities can achieve their personal goals, reach their full potential, and prosper in their community.

Housing: Ulva Ferry Housing Project (Isle of Mull). A remote rural small community in the west coast of the Isle of Mull is delivering affordable family housing as a basis for tackling depopulation and socio-economic decline.

Scotland’s Most Improved Place: Irvine (North Ayrshire). The Irvine Vision is an effort by North Ayrshire Council, in partnership with the local community, to drive a strategic approach to the town’s economic and physical development.

Kate Wimpress, chair of Surf said: ‘The 2017 Surf Awards shine a light on the resilience, creativity and ingenuity of those working across the country for the benefit of their communities. Despite operating in very challenging times the calibre and number of entrants this year reflects well the talent and dedication to be found in Scotland’s regeneration sector.’

• For more information on the awards click here.