Council star shortlisted for national award

Gabbi, who is Lead Officer for Southend-on-Sea Borough Council's Housing Options Service, was shortlisted in the creating safer communities category for Sanctuary schemes - domestic abuse projects.  

Sanctuary schemes help people who have experienced, or who are at risk of, domestic abuse to remain at home if they wish, and if the perpetrator does not live there.

Schemes include adapting homes to keep people safe, thereby rebuilding their confidence, and preventing homelessness.  

Southend's sanctuary scheme, established in 2008, has so far enabled 176 people in the borough to remain in, or return to their homes after ending an abusive relationship.  

This voluntary scheme is often used following a short stay in a refuge where the perpetrator has been evicted and the victim wants to go back home.

It minimises upheaval, by helping people maintain their support networks and keep their children in the same schools.  

Central to the success of the Southend scheme was to involve other partners in the initiative, and to appoint Gabbi Millar as dedicated Housing Options officer.

Southend-on-Sea Borough Council's Executive Councillor for Adult Social Care, Health and Housing, Councillor Lesley Salter said: "Congratulations to Gabbi for being shortlisted for these special awards.

"They recognise outstanding work in housing which improves the lives of people in their communities. 

"We hugely value Gabbi's contribution to the people of Southend.  In two consecutive years she won the Council's staff Stars awards in the 'Safe' category, after being nominated by grateful members of the public.

"We are delighted that her terrific work is now being noted nationally, and we wish her the very best of luck for the finals."  

Award winners will be announced at a special ceremony hosted by Michael Portillo at the Hilton, Park Lane, London, on Wednesday 9th November.

The awards organised by Inside Housing magazine and the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH), are sponsored by United House, Apollo Property Services Group, Devonshire Solicitors, Kier Building Maintenance, Welsh Assembly and The Scottish Government.  

CIH Interim Chief Executive, Grainia Long, said "I am delighted that as we celebrate the fifteenth year of the UK housing awards the calibre of entries is as excellent as ever.

"We hear much about the need for innovation in housing - the shortlisted finalists are examples of going beyond ideas - putting innovation into practice."