National award shortlist for Jo
A member of our staff has been shortlisted for “Best Project” in the national Resolve Awards, for her commitment to making communities safer.
The annual awards shine a light on the outstanding contribution of tenants, housing officers, anti-social behaviour (ASB) practitioners and their partners to tackling crime and making a difference.
Jo Sylvester started out here in 2012 and has since become a leader within the industry. Along with supporting tenants, she also shares vital skills and knowledge at regional events, hosting talks on cuckooing and county lines in particular.
Since the creation of The Cuckooing Project in April 2019, Jo has worked on 37 cases of our tenants being cuckooed. This figure has increased by nearly 100% on the previous year, proving partners and communities are working better together to understand and report this type of crime.
The “Best Project” award is for initiatives that demonstrate measurable improvement in reducing ASB and building community confidence.
When asked about the award Jo commented: “I am so shocked to have been shortlisted. It’s a true honour and I cannot thank my team enough for putting me forward.
“Everyone I work with goes above and beyond their duty to make sure our communities are as safe as they can be. I feel like I’ve made a difference to people’s lives through my work, and that’s what it’s all about. Hopefully this nomination will highlight the successful work achieved so far and help other social housing organisations.”
Kevin Hornsby, Director of Communities said: “Over the last couple of years Jo has been doing a huge amount of work to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour within our communities, with a focus on putting a stop to cuckooing and county lines. This is of course a massive challenge and therefore partnerships are key as we look to develop truly vibrant communities.
“She has not only been a leader within our organisation but has also worked with partners to share her experiences and make sure each case is dealt with in the correct way. I have seen Jo run these sessions personally with real energy and passion.
“We are over the moon that Jo has been recognised for such a fantastic award, and we wish her the best of luck for the night.”
Winners will be announces on Thursday 2 April 2020, at the Annual Resolve Conference in Solihull.
To find out more about the Resolve awards go to: www.resolveuk.org.uk/.