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.