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News & Updates
Inspirational People in Stockbridge Village
Thursday 5th May 2011
Villages Housing Association are celebrating after one of their tenants won the "Neighbour Of The Year Award" and one of their managers won the "Boss Of The Year Award" at the Juice FM Inspiration Awards on Thursday night.
Maureen Clunan has lived in Stockbridge Village since 1993 in Merecliff, one of 6 multi-storey blocks in Stockbridge, and is a worthy winner of the "Neighbour Of The Year Award".
Maureen is an active member of the community and sits on many resident and tenant groups, and is Chair of two of them.
Maureen said "I'd like to thank Colin for nominating me for this award. I have lived on Stockbridge Village for 18 years. Through my work with the community I know so many of the people who live here and I know that the vast majority are decent, law-abiding people who deserve to live and work in a friendly community. It used to annoy me how the few "bad apples" who live in Stockbridge always used to get the headlines, but never any of the good people or the good work that goes on here. That's all changing. This estate is changing, and not just physically. People have come together more and there's a really strong sense of community lately. Stockbridge now has a bright future ahead of it for our kids and grandkids.
"Colin Lafferty, Multis Project Team Leader at Villages Housing, nominated Maureen. He said, "I am delighted that Maureen has won this thoroughly deserved award. She is an integral part of our community, particularly at the multi-storey blocks. As Chair of the Cliffs Residents Association she has been central to the improvement works carried out across all of the blocks and she passionately represents the views of all of our residents particularly the elderly and the vulnerable.
"Michelle Askew is Villages' Supporting People Team Leader and won the "Boss Of The Year Award". She is the team leader for the Tenants Extra Support Scheme (TESS) team who help all housing association and private landlord tenants across Knowsley who are struggling with housing issues such as rent arrears.
Michelle says, "This award isn't just for me - it's on behalf of every Project Officer within Villages' TESS team. We have worked very hard to help every one of our clients in their various situations, and we're very proud to be able to say that last year TESS assisted over 400 tenants, secured more than £400,000 in extra benefits and prevented many households from becoming homeless."Charlie Barnard is one of the TESS Project Officers and nominated Michelle. He said, "Michelle is a boss that always gives her time and supports me when I need her to. She is inspirational, nothing is too much trouble and her people skills have empowered me. She is approachable and understanding, and is a worthy winner of this award."