The showpiece occasion took place at the International Convention Centre and featured a stellar line-up of finalists, presenters and guest speakers.

Hosted by journalist and broadcaster Daisy McAndrew, the ceremony also featured HS2 architect Lord Adonis as the keynote speaker.

Chair at Witton Lodge Community Association, Linda Hines MBE, said: “For a relatively small enterprise like ours to be keeping company with some of Birmingham’s largest and most illustrious organisations is a very proud achievement.
“It is credit to the hard work of all our staff and volunteers that we achieved this recognition.”

Established in 1994 in response to the news that 908 homes were to be demolished within the Perry Common estate in North Birmingham, Witton Lodge Community Association was formed by local residents to ensure the threatened community would have a ‘real’ say in the redevelopment.

“We are a community landlord and a dynamic social enterprise that focuses on people and place,” added Linda.

Over the last 25 years, the Association has overseen the regeneration, with over 900 new family homes built, created new parks, cycle paths and walking routes: as well as new health, education and community facilities. As part of this process the Association has developed and manages 187 homes for those who are most in need.

The Association has made an even greater impact on people’s lives though its’ Flourishing Communities initiative – supporting hundreds of local residents, including young people, to gain new skills and employment; pioneering innovative social prescription approaches to supporting older residents to live independently and with dignity; developing environmental initiatives that tackle fuel poverty and are good for our planet; as well as bringing communities together to celebrate community life.