How long have you lived in Barnet?
I have lived in Barnet all my life and been a Barnet Homes tenant for over 40 years.
Tell us a bit about yourself?
I am a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother (not revealing my age!) and thoroughly enjoy looking after the babies. My hobbies for relaxation include painting, reading and jigsaw puzzles. For something a bit more strenuous I enjoy gardening, which, thanks to the Barnet Homes Gardening Club, has given me even more pleasure.
How and when did you get involved in the Performance Advisory Group (PAG) which later transformed into the Resident Board?
For many years I was secretary and vice-chair of the Barnet Homes Residents Association, and was always interested in involving tenants and leaseholders with Barnet Homes. On attending a Barnet Homes Hub meeting the idea of the Performance Advisory Group (PAG later transformed into the Resident Board) was put forward and I believed this to be an ideal opportunity for a way forward to have interaction with the wider community and Barnet Homes. This evolved over many years. The members of PAG raised issues with heads of departments, for example repairs, gas maintenance, ground maintenance and ASB and general welfare of Barnet Homes residents. In turn they had to report to PAG with strategies for ways to implement the issues and find a way forward. PAG kept an eye on these and chased up where necessary.
How has your involvement changed the way Barnet Homes works?
I believe that not only my involvement, but all the PAG members showed that we were concerned about our environment and the work done on our behalf by Barnet Homes and in return the various departments realised that, going forward, improvements had to be implemented.
What would you say to other residents who are thinking about getting involved?
I would like more of you, the residents, to get involved with Barnet Homes. It is interesting and rewarding to feel that we have a say and to see future targets come to fruition and subsequently benefit all Barnet residents because of our input.