There were seven entries for the Community Initiative Awards with cash prizes for first (£1,000), second (£500) and third place (£500). The presentations from TRAs and TMOs were impressive. The presentations were delivered in alphabetical order. Blenheim Gardens RMO’s Saturday Club was up first. Starting first can be an unfavourable position, because when it comes to voting at the end, people tend to forget the first presentation after hearing the others. Sonya couldn’t speak because of a sore throat and Julet admitted that she was nervous (although I must confess, this didn’t come across). Despite the strength in competition, and presenting first, both Sonya and Julet delivered a very effective presentation, so much so, it helped Blenheim Gardens RMO’s Saturday Club to claim third spot and a £500 prize. First prize was won by a community based project helping young citizens into music.
From the TMO Client Team’s point of view, this is a great achievement not only for Blenheim Gardens RMO, but for TMOs in general. Second prize was claimed by another TMO, Cowley RMO. So, two of the top three positions were won by TMOs. There were only two entries from TMOs; however, had there been a third, it is possible that TMOs could have made a clean sweep of the prizes.
Congratulations to the Blenheim Gardens RMO’s Saturday Club. Winning the cash prize demonstrates that TMOs, as well as being a great mechanism to deliver excellent housing services, are also a great mechanism to help develop its community. Well done!
The TMO Client Team at Lambeth Council