Manningham Housing Association (MHA) has been named as the Equality Trailblazer for West and North Yorkshire in the Chamber Business Awards 2022.
Manningham Housing Association staff
The community-based organisation, which manages more than 1,400 homes for over 6,000 residents in Bradford and Keighley, now progresses to the national finals with the winners set to be showcased on the international stage by the British Chambers of Commerce.
West and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce said: “MHA has a dedicated Community Development team that runs and supports a range of projects focused on equality, diversity, and inclusion. These include free lessons to help those over 55s improve their IT skills, free culturally sensitive counselling sessions, a confidential hotline for men experiencing domestic abuse, free employability courses, and frequent women's health and wellbeing sessions.
“MHA already has numerous accreditations and awards which recognise its commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion. After recently being awarded the Customer Service Excellence Standard, their assessor described the organisation as a ‘beacon of hope’ to many during the pandemic, before adding that ‘being a truly community-based BAME housing association, MHA has created a range of additional services ensuring that the diverse and varied needs of communities are met.’”
The Chamber added: “We truly believe that Manningham Housing Association is a worthy winner of the Equality Trailblazer Award. When discussing nominations, they were the first organisation to spring into everyone's minds, and the work they do to promote the importance of diversity and inclusion is unmatched.”
Lee Bloomfield, MHA Chief Executive, said: “We are honoured to be recognised as an Equality Trailblazer and to be representing West and North Yorkshire in the British Chambers of Commerce national finals.
“It is more positive news for the district after Bradford winning UK City of Culture status for 2025.
“Despite the immense challenges individuals and families are currently facing due to the cost of living crisis, we must never forget that our greatest strength is our people.
“The MHA family – made up of our tenants, partners and staff – will always be there for each other and the communities we serve from all social and ethnic backgrounds. MHA’s success is their success.”
Barrington Billings, MHA Chair, said: “It is wonderful to be commended by the region’s leading business organisation in this way.
“MHA is a relatively small housing association with a hard-earned reputation for punching well above our weight. Much of this is down to our ability to work with partners across the public, private and voluntary sectors.
“The approval of the West and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce for what we do is a significant accomplishment and deeply appreciated.”