Tag: Betty Stevenson

Lifetime Achievement Award for Edinburgh housing charity champion

The convenor of Edinburgh Tenants Federation (ETF), a local housing charity, has been awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award by the organisation at their latest AGM.  

The recipient of the award, Betty Stone (formerly Betty Stevenson) became convenor of the charity in 2005 and has been a volunteer and activist for the organisation for over 30 years.  

Edinburgh Tenants Federation is a tenant-led charity that supports tenants across Edinburgh to understand their housing rights, have their voices heard, and influence decisions about housing and related services locally, city-wide, and nationally.  

In a letter acknowledging the award, Leader of the City of Edinburgh Council Jane Meagher said: “I have known Betty for a very long time, and I have never met anyone who has shown such care, commitment and dedication to her work.

“She has long fought for better housing conditions for people in Edinburgh and tenants across the city have known no stauncher champion of their rights than Betty. This award is most well deserved and I’m sure will be welcomed by the many, many people that Betty has helped over the years.” 

Betty was presented the award by Vice-Convenor Paul Vaughan at the organisation’s AGM.

The evening saw Betty renominated to the organisation’s Executive Committee as Convenor for a further term of three years.  

Following receipt of the award, Betty said: “I am honoured to receive this Lifetime Achievement Award from Edinburgh Tenants Federation, especially this year as we celebrate our 35th anniversary.  

“I have worked as volunteer campaigning for better housing services in Edinburgh for the past 30 years. I have witnessed a lot of change in the housing landscape, yet, reflecting on my journey, I can see similarities between now and the 90s, and how in many cases we are still working to ensure social housing in Edinburgh is safe and accessible.” 

Betty encouraged people to get involved in the local community and join the Federation, saying: “It’s the collective voice of the people that gets the job done. Those interested in setting up a residents’ and tenants’ group, or even just learning more about housing in Edinburgh should reach out to become a part of our network.” 

Founded in 1990 from a merger of tenant networks to collaborate over similar housing issues, ETF has been at the forefront of the housing debate in Edinburgh campaigning for better tenants’ rights in areas such as stock transfer, rent increases and tenant living conditions.

Today, its volunteers work closely with the City of Edinburgh Council to help inform tenant participation strategy across the city.   

Join the Federation – it’s free!

Joining Edinburgh Tenants Federation is simple. Membership is completely free of charge and open to any tenants’ or residents’ organisations in Edinburgh – regardless of who your landlord is.

Equally, if you live in an area without a tenants’ group, you can still join as an individual associate member, and organisations that share our aims and values can also become associate members.  

To find out more about membership, contact the Federation office by email at info@edinburghtenants.org.uk or call 0131 475 2509. 

City set to celebrate dedicated volunteers

Edinburgh-001

and Muirhouse’s Betty is Inspiring Volunteer of the Year!

Edinburgh’s Volunteering Ambassador the Lord Provost Donald Wilson will honour some of the dedicated volunteers who give their time, energy and commitment to the people of Edinburgh at a special awards ceremony taking place on tomorrow (Wednesday 4 June) during Volunteers’ Week.

Now eight years old, Edinburgh’s Inspiring Volunteering Awards reflect the exceptional range of organisations and individuals working in the city’s vibrant charity and non-profit sectors.

This year’s nominees include sports coaches and language teachers; fundraisers and befrienders; green fingered gardeners and inky fingered administrators as well as charity shop workers and guardians of our artistic heritage. We even have a group who don costumes to bring history to life.

A wide age range is represented and our nominees come from across the broad spectrum of cultures that make up our ever more diverse city.

This year there’s a new special recognition category of Tenant Participation Champion which recognises the work done by Community Councils and tenants organisations in fighting for the rights and improving the quality of life for those living in Edinburgh’s public and private rented sectors.

This year’s recipient of the “Lord Provost’s Inspiring Volunteer of the Year Award” is Betty Stevenson, the Chair of The Edinburgh Tenant’s Federation.

Betty has been a consistent champion for the rights of Edinburgh’s tenants for many years. Fearless and forthright, she has never been afraid to stand up to the powerful be they councillors or MSPs if she believes they are not doing enough to protect the most vulnerable. She expects the same level of commitment from everyone involved in ETF and leads by example.

Lord Provost Donald Wilson, said: “There are thousands of dedicated and inspiring volunteers in Edinburgh selflessly giving up their own time to help and support others. These awards are simply one way of recognising some of their tremendous work, and their contribution to the wellbeing of our city’s residents cannot be overstated.”

Kris Von Wald, Convenor of Volunteer Centre Edinburgh, said: “The Lord Provost has agreed to present these awards because he recognises how important volunteers are to Edinburgh and its residents. The Awards seek to acknowledge the hard work, commitment, energy and positive difference that volunteers make”.

Congratulations to Betty, and congratulations also to the following individuals who will receive Special Recognition Awards:

Arts, Culture & Heritage Volunteer
Dr Helen Bennett, Curation and cataloguing of the glass plate negative collection of George Paxton (1850-1904) at Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

Charity Shop Volunteer
Kieran Potter, Accessories Merchandiser / Sales Statistician / Weekend Shift Leader / Shop Window Display Team at Oxfam

Environment / Conservation Volunteer
Evie Murray, School Garden Clubs and Leith Croft Co-ordinator at Leith Community Crops in Pots

Fundraising Volunteer
Irene Schofield, Fundraising Volunteer at Gorgie City Farm

Health & Social Care Volunteer
Donald Peden, Befriender at Ecas

Long Standing Contribution to Volunteering Award
Reg Kingman, Former Chair of Drum Brae Community Council at Drum Brae Community Council

Sports Volunteer
Kate Graham, Coach Coordinator at Forth Canoe Club

Tenant Participation Champion *New category this year*
David Thomson, Chair Redbraes Residents Association at Redbraes Residents Association

Trustee Volunteer
Amelia Calvert, Chairperson (Trustee) at Eczema Outreach Scotland

Young Volunteer
Naomi Paton, Peer mentor at Citadel Youth Centre

The award ceremony has been organised by Volunteer Centre Edinburgh and the Edinburgh Compact Partnership. Should be a great night – there’s a lot to celebrate!

Betty (second from right) with ETF Executive Committee colleagues
Betty (second from right) with ETF Executive Committee colleagues

Tenants to help shape future of city housing

Council tenants are being given the opportunity to shape the future of Edinburgh’s housing services. The Tenant  Participation  Strategy 2012-2015 was launched at the City Chambers last night (14 June).

The aim of the strategy is to improve the  ways tenants can participate in decisions on housing and related services in  their communities. It builds on previous tenant participation  events organised by the City of Edinburgh Council and the Edinburgh Tenants Federation such  as the annual Tenants’ Conference.

Councillor Cammy Day, Housing Leader for the  City of Edinburgh Council (pictured above), said: “This strategy is an open invitation to tenants  to give us their views on what really matters to them. They have an important  role to play in how the Council provides housing and other related  services. It’s important that tenants have a voice  and this strategy gives them the opportunity. By taking part in the  decision-making process they can help contribute to the development of quality  housing in this city. There are undoubtedly some huge challenges  ahead and we are always looking at creative and innovative ways to deliver more  social and affordable housing in the city. With the help and support of our tenants we  can be confident that future challenges will be tackled together.”

Betty Stevenson, Convenor, Edinburgh Tenants  Federation, said: “Volunteers from Edinburgh Tenants Federation have worked  tirelessly with the Council to agree the content of the strategy and this is the  culmination of a lot of hard work. We look forward to working with the  Council to ensure there are better housing conditions  and services by involving tenants in decision making.”