Belle Isle TMO Scoops National Award

 

Belle Isle Tenant Management Organisation (BITMO) has one a national ward for their innovative work in setting up the BITMOs GATE centre.

BITMO awardThe National Federation of Tenant Management Organisations (NFTMO) supports and facilitates networking for over 130 TMOs in England. Last year the NFTMO launched a new series of annual awards to recognise achievement in the TMO sector, and this year Belle Isle TMO won the Innovation Award which recognises creativity and new ways of working.

Chair of Belle Isle Tenant Management Organisation (BITMO) Christine Shepherd and Board member Margaret Brown were delighted to pick up the award from NFTMO Chair Nick Reynolds on behalf of Belle Isle TMO at this year’s National Federation of Tenant Management Organisations Annual Conference, held in Stratford-upon-Avon in late June.

Belle Isle TMO scooped the award for innovation in recognition for the creation of BITMOs GATE; transforming the former library in Belle Isle into a vibrant community resource centre through the innovative vision of Belle Isle TMO’s Management Board and with the support of Middleton Park Ward Members, Councillors Groves, Truswell and Blake. The development also received significant support from repairs contractor Mears.

The GATE has also seen BITMO partner with Leeds Federated Housing through the HUGO Project (Helping You Get Online), Union Learn, South Leeds Food Bank, Leeds Let Get Active Project, Hunslet Job Centre, Stop Smoking campaign, Ciaran Bingham Foundation, Health For all and Citizens Advice Bureau. In addition local volunteers are now running Family Tree and Guitar Classes and over 200 people have registered to use the GATE’s computers.

BITMOs GATE is now somewhere people living in and around Belle Isle and Middleton can go to ‘Get Advice, Training and Employment’. The resource centre offers a range of free daily activities, workshops and sessions to support people’s lives and journey into work.

Christine Shepherd said:

“The Award is a great way to celebrate BITMO’s 10th anniversary and it recognises the hard work of Board members, staff, volunteers and our partnership with Leeds City Council and shows what can be done when the community comes together.”

For more information about Belle Isle TMO and BITMOs GATE, visit www.belleisletmo.co.uk or search and like ‘Belle Isle TMO’ on Facebook.