Resident snapshots

Winner of this year’s ‘Good Neighbour’ award, Margaret Lacey

Eighty-six year old Margaret has lived in one of Barnet Homes’s larger sheltered housing schemes for older people for the past 31 years. She received several nominations from her friends and residents for this year’s ‘Good Neighbour Award’ category at the Barnet Group’s Community Awards.

Margaret attended the Awards gala night with four of her neighbours and she was ecstatic to be announced the winner. Margaret said, “It feels fabulous at my age to win something and get recognition for what I’ve been doing to help my neighbours out.”

Following her retirement from the Civil Service, where she was responsible for licensing black cabs in London, Margaret moved into the 42 flat scheme in 1994. She recalls, “As soon as I moved in, I busied myself getting to know everyone at the scheme’s social club and became involved in the activities, everything from the social games like bingo and dominoes to the regular coffee mornings. Then I started organising outings for my neighbours to the seaside, local carvery, boat trips and all sorts. I’ve always been a social person and it’s been excellent living with all my neighbours. Over the years I’ve welcomed everyone into our sheltered scheme with open arms.”

Audrey, her neighbour (pictured far right) said, “I enjoy the activities Margaret
organises very much, they’re a highlight of living in my scheme.”

Ricky Brown, Sheltered Housing Manager, was full of praise for Margaret, he said “Over the years that I covered the scheme, Margaret has been invaluable to all those that live there. She has helped in the organisation of tenant events, acted as a tenant representative on many issues, from repairs to food supply and been our Recycling Champion. Nothing has ever been too much for her.”