Tai Ceredigion along with its partners ROCKWOOL have announced they have recently been shortlisted for a prestigious UK wide Sustainable Housing award. The nomination for ‘Sustainable Housing Partnership of the Year’ award is in recognition of the partnership and exemplary work of both organisations, their direct labour team and local contractors for the benefit of Tai Ceredigion tenants.
The award ceremony – to be held in London on Friday 18th of October – will see the rural housing association up against tough competition. “We’re absolutely thrilled to be shortlisted against projects from all over the UK and are so proud of the hard work, commitment and cooperation of everyone involved to get us this far,” said Llyr Edwards, Director of Property Services for the Lampeter based association.
Tai Ceredigion embarked on a partnership with Rockwool – who make the Welsh breathable insulation product for external wall insulation – as part of an ongoing project to ensure the 2,300 residential properties owned and maintained by the housing association are brought up to Welsh Quality Housing Standard. The external wall insulation programme has already improved the energy efficiency of many of Tai Ceredigion’s properties and is helping to reduce CO2 emissions whilst assisting to reduce heating costs for tenants and leaseholders.
“With such a large number of properties to be upgraded we identified the need to provide training and qualifications for our own direct labour,” said Llyr Edwards. “In addition, Rockwool agreed to train not only our workforce but also other local contractors which enables them to install the solution themselves. It’s been an excellent partnership that has not only provided a better quality of living for our tenants but has also improved the long term employment prospects of our contractors in the county,” he added.
Samuel Morris, Director of Jamson Estates said, “With thanks to our partnership with Tai Ceredigion, we are now able to compete for external wall insulation work in Ceredigion and beyond. This was a valuable training opportunity for a small company like us to obtain on our doorstep and for little cost. Without Tai Ceredigion’s assistance and drive we would not be able to compete for this work today and we are very grateful for this collaborative opportunity.”
Llyr Edwards, Director of Property Services at Tai Ceredigion said, “We are proud to be working with other Welsh companies, and being able to provide local contractors with this invaluable training opportunity has been a bonus. We have not only been able to bring affordable warmth to our tenants but keep the benefits locally, support the local economy and provide training and job opportunities. It is a win, win situation. We are now looking forward to the award ceremony and hope the judging panel will agree.”
