13/02/2009 : BHP to receive first ENCAMS Kitemark

The environmental charity ENCAMS (Environmental Campaigns), best known for the Keep Britain Tidy campaign, has awarded Brent Housing Partnership (BHP) the Cleaner, Safer, Greener Kitemark.

BHP is the first housing provider to receive the Kitemark since ENCAMS officially launched the scheme last year following a number of successful pilot projects around England.

The Kitemark, the first award of its kind in the country, is an effective partnership tool for housing providers who want to lead the way in environmental issues and build better neighbourhoods for residents.

The scheme aims to create quality spaces which people can be proud of living in and which others will respect. It also offers a structure to drive improvements in specified neighbourhoods and recognises cleaner, safer and greener achievements at a national level.

Helen Evans Managing Director for BHP, explained: "We were proud to be the first housing provider in England to enter for this award. We decided to put forward estates in East Brent and Wembley for assessment. We had to provide evidence and information that demonstrated our aspirations and the means we are using to create cleaner, safer and greener environments for residents.

"After a lot of hard work from staff and partners we were thrilled to learn that not only did we get the Kitemark but were awarded the exemplar level which is the highest grade. The assessors acknowledged the steps we were taking to improve estates and the quality of the environment for residents."
David Cockcroft, Housing Director at ENCAMS, said: "We are delighted to recognise the hard work and dedication of Brent Housing Partnership and their partners in achieving the Kitemark at the exemplar level.

"Living in an area blighted by environmental problems can adversely affect people's perceptions of themselves and their neighbourhoods and significantly increase their fear of being victims of crime.

"By taking part in the project and gaining the Kitemark, BHP has provided an excellent example of how housing providers with vision and determination can make a real difference in communities."