Bath-based housing organisation Curo has picked up a top national award at the 2015 UK Housing Awards 2015 held in London on Tuesday for their work in tackling domestic abuse.
Curo received the award for its approach to preventing domestic abuse having developed, in partnership with family support charity Southside, a theatre-based training programme called The Missed Opportunity.
The training is designed to help customer-facing colleagues spot the warning signs of domestic abuse and know where to go for help.
The powerful training takes place in a Curo property, with professional actors playing out scenarios which delegates are invited to freeze-frame and replay, suggesting different approaches and quizzing the characters.
All 175 customer-facing Curo and Southside colleagues are going on this training.
Curo has extended this training to other organisations across the West of England who come into contact with customers in their own homes.
Already the Avon & Somerset Police & Crime Commissioner and the District Commander are looking at police officers in the area benefiting from the training.
Julie Evans, Curo Neighbourhoods Director, said: “Domestic abuse is an endemic but often hidden problem in society and those suffering can be isolated.
“The Missed Opportunity training is specifically designed to address this. By helping us to spot the early signs, it means we can give our customers the best service and support possible when they need it the most.
“Winning this award with Southside will help us to highlight the important part other organisations can play in putting a stop to domestic abuse in their customers’ homes.”
The UK Housing Awards are organised by the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) and Inside Housing magazine.
CIH Chief Executive Terrie Alafat said: “Congratulations to everyone who was shortlisted for the UK Housing Awards and of course our winners.
“These awards aim to recognise the great work being done by housing organisations all over the UK to improve people’s lives and communities.
“But they are also about raising standards and pushing our industry to keep aiming higher.
“A big part of our job at CIH is seeking out and sharing what works and what doesn’t – we hope the stories behind our winners and finalists will inspire fellow housing professionals and provide new ideas.”
Emma Maier, Editor of Inside Housing, said: “The UK Housing Awards are the longest established and most respected awards in the social housing sector.
“They shout about the huge impact organisations and individuals have on communities across the UK and help recognise the innovation, creativity and passion with the UK housing sector.
“We received a huge number of entries – over 250 this year – and the standard was incredibly high and the winners deserve all of the recognition they get.”
