The Aberdeen Sheltered Housing Network has become Scotland's first tenants' group to earn a new award for tenant participation.

The award has been made by the Tenant Participation Advisory Service (TPAS) in recognition of the group's commitment to speaking up for Aberdeen's elderly council tenants.

More than 80 people have attended some of the group's meetings which attract tenants from across the city.

Three tenant sub-groups were set-up in Aberdeen in 2008 as part of the Council Tenant Participation Structure to provide a forum at which tenants could share ideas and receive information from council officers.

However, it was recognised that tenants living in sheltered accommodation had different communication needs to those living in 'normal' council homes, so a Sheltered Housing Network (SHN) was created.

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The SHN has gone from strength to strength and even has its own subgroup of tenants who decide what will be discussed at the next meeting and which council officers they should invite.

Aberdeen SNH chairwoman Alice Brebber said the group's success boiled down to encouraging new people to get involved and work with the council to find solutions.

"We always make new people feel welcome and we have built up a good working relationship with the Council. Achieving this award is great news for the Network," she said.

Chief Executive of TPAS Scotland Lesley Baird said: "We are hugely impressed with the work of these volunteers. They have managed to unite the city's elderly tenants and get round the table with the council's top decision makers.

"It is clear that Aberdeen City Council are listening and learning from their tenants. The Sheltered Housing Network thoroughly deserves this award."

Housing and Environment Convener Councillor Aileen Malone said: "The network has gone from strength to strength. The council finds the network's feedback really useful and this helps us to provide quality services that people want."

Achieving TPAS Accreditation involves organisations opening their doors to independent scrutiny of how tenants are involved in influencing their housing service.

TPAS will soon be releasing a good practice briefing note on the success of the Aberdeen Sheltered Housing Network.

(GK)