Building Communities, the Four Seasons Photo Competition

What began as a “one-off” resident engagement initiative during COVID-19 in 2021 has since blossomed into Clúid Housing’s annual resident photo competition. Each year, the winning entries are celebrated in the much-anticipated calendar.

The idea for the competition first emerged as a way to stay connected with residents throughout the pandemic, particularly during lockdowns, when many residents were isolating or cocooning. The plan was simple: run a photo competition for each season, with residents submitting entries by email or post. For every season, Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter, we hosted a Zoom event where residents could join in, chat, view the photos together, and help select the three winning images. Those twelve winning photos would then form the calendar for the following year.

Although the competition was originally intended as a once-off project, the level of interest and enthusiasm from residents meant it quickly became a cherished annual tradition. Now in its fifth year, the competition continues to grow and thrive.

For residents, the initiative offered a welcome sense of connection and community at a time when in-person interaction wasn’t possible. For staff, it has been inspiring to see the stunning variety of photos submitted, each reflecting the pride residents have in their homes and communities.