Rising Star Alex wins national award

A neighbourhood management trainee from Conwy has won a national award.

Alexandra Weaver, 30, who works for housing association Cartrefi Conwy beat off competition from across Wales to be named as a Rising Star by the Chartered Institute of Housing Cymru (CIH).

The award was presented at Cardiff City Hall at the organisation’s annual conference. The competition was open to anyone working or studying in Welsh housing and making a positive contribution to neighbourhoods and communities in Wales.

Alex, who moved north from her home near Newport to join Cartrefi Conwy two years ago, was delighted to have won. She said: “It’s amazing and a real boost to my career. I really enjoy my role with Cartrefi Conwy. Without my colleagues, at all levels, winning an award such as this simply would not have been possible.

“I was visited at my workplace by the panel of judges so they could observe my day to day activities such as my work with our social letting agencies, our garage re-development programme and our successful Passion for Life programme.

“We then had to write two 500 word blogs on the CIH website as well as take over the institute’s twitter account and host an hour-long session on a housing-related topic of my choice; I chose problems with the private rented sector. I wrote a blog called Breaking the Cycle, giving my views on homelessness prevention through partnership working.”

Cartrefi Conwy Chief Executive Andrew Bowden said: “Alex has worked exceptionally hard and is clearly passionate about housing and our pledge of creating communities to be proud of. She deserves her success and I’m delighted she chose to join Cartrefi Conwy.”