The Harrow Road Neighbourhood Partnership (HRNP), an organisation set up by Genesis Community (part of Genesis Housing Group), has been recognised as 'Best UK Neighbourhood Renewal Programme 2009' at the annual 'International Journal of Neighbourhood Renewal Annual Journal Awards'.

One of just two community-based projects in the UK to win the award this year, HRNP team members, Naomi Jordan, Kierra Box and Linda Mokrane, were presented with the Partnership's certificate at a prestigious 'International Journal of Neighbourhood Renewal' (IJNR) conference and awards ceremony on 26 November at Birkbeck College in London.

HRNP also works in partnership with Westminster City Council which, on 9 December, was awarded a 'Green Flag' in the Comprehensive Area Assessment for its work with community engagement.

The IJNR Annual Journal Awards champion grassroots activities which directly benefit local lives. The judges - consisting of IJNR editors and a peer review group - acted as "mystery shoppers" when they visited local businesses and other community members anonymously in nominated areas.

Nominations for the Annual Journal Awards are accepted directly from a programme, an independent organisation, or an individual. The process began for HRNP in February 2009 when Neighbourhood Coordinator Naomi Jordan submitted an application.

ubmission criteria included outlines of the Partnership's success in meeting its objectives to tackle social and economic issues, and the challenges it has overcome in its alleviation of local deprivation.

'Neighbourhood Journal' editor Ray Holden, who organised the Awards, said: "We were delighted with the response we received from the people we spoke to locally about HRNP. This organisation delivers real hands-on and impactful services to its residents and is an excellent example of good practice in the heart of a community."

HRNP's Neighbourhood Renewal Manager Julie Bundy says: "We genuinely feel that some local issues have begun to shift by working together with both residents and businesses in the Harrow Road. Our new market has also given us a venue for our community to come together. We are delighted that IJNR has given us the chance to celebrate this."

Iain Mackechnie-Jarvis, Director of the Harrow Road Neighbourhood Renewal Partnership and Head of Genesis Community, said "As the lead partner in this housing-led partnership, Genesis Community is very proud of the success of the Harrow Road initiative in creating effective neighbourhood renewal. This exemplary partnership - between a forward-thinking local authority in Westminster City Council, and the third sector - successfully delivering real results at local level, for local people".

Photo caption: Melody Odusanya, Kierra Box, Lynn Daniel (back), Julie Bundy, Linda Mokrane (holding award), Naomi Jordan, Paola Pagliarin

For further information and any requests about Harrow Road Neighbourhood Partnership, please contact Melody Odusanya on 07951 309 363 / melody41@btinternet.com

For further information about Genesis Community or Genesis Housing Group, please contact Diana Evans on 020 7563 0028 / Diana.Evans@ghg.org.uk

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NOTES TO EDITORS

Genesis Community was set up in 2005 by Genesis Housing Group. It is a charitable foundation created to fulfil Genesis Housing Group's commitments to address the challenges of deprivation and social exclusion in disadvantaged areas. Projects delivered by Genesis Community focus on the key themes of young people, vulnerable and elderly people, safer communities, financial inclusion and training and employment.

Genesis Housing Group is a social investment business. It provides homes and services, supporting customers and communities to build futures. Genesis provides homes and services to tens of thousands of people across London and the south east of England. The Group consists of PCHA, Pathmeads, Springboard and St Matthew housing associations. Genesis also has in its group a charitable foundation, Genesis Community. It is one of the largest and most diverse housing groups in the UK, owning and/or managing more than 40,000 homes. Its overriding aim is to put customers first and provide excellent service.

About the Harrow Road Neighbourhood Partnership:
• Since its formation in December 2004, HRNP has been working with local residents, businesses and service providers to analyse and improve the social and economic circumstances and challenges of one of Westminster's most deprived areas, working for and with the community to improve quality of life and wellbeing. HRNP is funded through Westminster's Local Area Agreement (LAA) to coordinate partnership working at a neighbourhood level and to deliver programmes to reduce deprivation.
• The HRNP Renewal Plan is based around wide consultation across the ward including events, public meetings, questionnaires, focus groups, drop-ins at the Neighbourhood Centre, and targeted consultation through resident groups and small community groups. Issues raised by the community were translated into actions in the renewal plan which was then signed up to by service providers committed to delivering on them.
• The Partnership Board consists of Ward Councillors, the five main Registered Social Landlords (RSL's - founding partners), Westminster's housing ALMO City West Homes, the Chair of Harrow Road Traders Association, representatives from Westminster City Council departments, the Metropolitan Police, the NHW Westminster, and representatives from the voluntary and charity sector.