Good Neighbour Award Scheme Winner 2025

Today is Scottish Housing Day, (17 September 2025) an annual event to raise awareness of the challenges and successes in Scotland’s housing sector. This year Scottish Housing Day focuses on the importance of good neighbours and communities.

The theme this year links to our Good Neighbour Award which was announced at our AGM on 4 September 2025. This year our winner was Helen Pinn from Doune. Helen was nominated by Lesley McGregor, Housing Services Officer, as Helen had been looking out for an elderly neighbour since her husband passed away. She had been visiting her and getting shopping for her etc. But, more notably, Helen contacted us concerned for her neighbour’s wellbeing when she hadn’t seen her for a couple of days. Helen’s concern resulted in our staff going to the property and contacting emergency services who took her very poorly neighbour to hospital. We are quite certain that if Helen hadn’t been looking out for her neighbour, and had not contacted us quickly, that her neighbour would not have survived. Helen literally saved her life and I’m sure you will agree Helen is a very worthy winner!

Helen is pictured receiving her award from Councillor Gerry McGarvey who was the keynote speaker at our AGM.

Good Neighbour Award Scheme:

When good neighbours become good friends It’s not too late to nominate a neighbour for our Good Neighbour Award scheme.

Is there someone or a family whom you would particularly like to highlight for their “neighbourliness” and generosity of spirit which has helped you through a particularly difficult time or who is always there to help out?

If so, we want to know.

We know that there are many people living in the rural Stirling area who deserve to be recognised for their thoughtfulness and consideration to their neighbours. We would like to give you the chance to pay tribute to someone special, either adult or young person, whose kindness has made a real difference to your lives or that of another neighbour.

A good neighbour could be someone who:

• Looks after your home or pet when you are on holiday

• Puts out and brings your bin in

• Helps out with gardening and shopping

• Has been there when you needed someone to talk to

• Or someone who is simply a good neighbour all the time

Terms and conditions:

• Either you and/or your “good neighbour” must be a Rural Stirling Tenant.

• Unfortunately, we can’t accept nominations for a family member or someone living in the same property as you.

• We will write to you to let you know if your entry has been successful and we will also write to the “Good Neighbour” to let them

know that they have been nominated.

• Rural Stirling will seek agreement from all parties before we use any details for publicity.

The closing date for entries will be late August. To enter call the office or email us at enquiries@rsha.org.uk or speak to your Housing Officer.

All nominees will receive a certificate. We will have one overall prize winner. All nominees will be published in the next edition of our Rural Matters Newsletter which is posted on our website.