Hi Alicia, thank you for taking the time to talk to us. Please tell us more about you.
“Like many of my friends growing up, I started life in a council house. For many of our parents, it was a stepping stone towards becoming homeowners and a safety net for those needing extra support.
Six years ago, I suffered a breakdown in my physical and mental health. This led to me being homeless and starting again with almost nothing after 39 years of working hard and raising two children.
My son died thirty years ago, aged six, after a four-year battle with leukaemia. My daughter is now married with two children of her own.”
What do you think are the main issues facing social and affordable housing residents and providers?
“Decades of under-investment in social and affordable housing together with cuts in health and social care provision, coupled with the stigma attached to social housing have led to a housing crisis.”
What do you love most about your role within the TEC?
“I am excited to be working with a forward-thinking housing association to improve the lives of residents, as well as extending the opportunities for people in East Anglia to become homeowners if they so wish.”
What do you feel you bring to the role?
“I have previously studied social policy and societal changes as well as a former career in community development work with a particular interest in rural deprivation. My role is an opportunity to contribute to society while positively rebuilding my life.”
And finally, what do you like to do in your spare time?
“I like to knit, crochet, and sew. In the past, I was a professional knitter for some of the best-known designers in the UK and formerly had my own small business selling at craft markets. I enjoy writing about my life experiences, and I plan to use those experiences to help others.”
If you would like to engage with us and be a part of the conversation, you can find out more about our tenant engagement options here.
* The Tenant Experience Committee (TEC) is a committee of our Board and was created in September 2022. It’s made up of residents as well as independent members. It helps ensure our resident’s voices are being heard and factored into the decisions we make as a business.
