Good Neighbour honoured at SARH AGM

Just 18 months after moving into a new home managed by Stafford and Rural Homes (SARH), 72-year-old Terry Chinchen has been recognised for his contribution to the local community.

The former farm manager was presented with a Good Neighbour Award by the area’s leading housing association for his efforts to help fellow SARH customers at Jubilee Court in Stafford.

He was nominated for the accolade by Elaine Tomlinson, the Extra Care Manager at Jubilee Court where Terry lives with his wife, Jennifer, who requires ongoing support after being involved in a serious accident.

In her nomination, Elaine said that Terry is his wife’s main carer but still finds the time to help organise popular coffee mornings and other events. He has also shared his passion for photography with neighbours by staging slide shows, and he even organised for an orphaned lamb and his daughter’s Shetland pony to visit Jubilee Court.

The nomination continued: “If someone needs a favour, Terry is always there. However small or large the request he is always willing, versatile, friendly, accommodating and more than anything kind. Terry has a giving nature, is very much a gentleman and a good friend to the Jubilee Court community.”

The award was presented during the housing association’s Annual General Meeting held at its headquarters in Parker Court.

At the event, SARH customers, employees and stakeholders also heard of the contributions made to the community by award runners-up, Tracey Rock and Michael Smith, for their work on community allotments and communal gardens. Tracey and her family have been closely involved in the allotments in Priory Road, Stone, part of a wider ‘Growing Health’ initiative led by SARH in partnership with Stafford Borough Council.

After receiving his award, a typically modest Terry said: “I was in pure shock when I found out I had been nominated. I felt even more honoured when I heard about the contributions to the community made by the runners-up, who were equally deserving of this award.

“It’s a real pleasure to get involved in all the activities at Jubilee Court; it’s a fantastic place to live with a real sense of community.”

In addition to the Good Neighbour Awards, the AGM also saw presentations to staff who have gone above and beyond what’s expected of them, whilst SARH Chief Executive Karen Armitage highlighted the organisation’s achievements in its 10th anniversary year. Karen also presented the housing association’s plans for the future at a time when all such organisations face unprecedented challenges.

The theme of the meeting was Delivering in a Changing World, and Karen said: “As a social landlord we are a hard-working, innovative organisation and have a five-year plan to modernise our services whilst improving customer satisfaction and support.

“Like many of our customers we have faced a lot of changes, but we are committed to embracing the opportunities such change presents.”

Pictured: Terence Chinchen received his Good Neighbour Award from (left to right), Alison Hadden, Chair of the SARH Board; Debbie Emmitt, Director of Neighbourhoods and Chief Executive Karen Armitage.