Meet the team

We asked the residents on our newly-formed Co-design Action Group to tell us a little bit about themselves, their experience and what they’re hoping to achieve by being part of the Group. Here’s what they had to say!

Cathy

I have been a shared owner with a home in one of Peabody’s smaller developments in Acton, West London for over sixteen years. I was a Trustee on the Board of Catalyst Housing Charitable Trust (CHCT) for several years, helping to deliver a fund-raising strategy to benefit both Catalyst residents and the communities within which they live. I was also a member of Catalyst's Performance Allies scrutiny panel - raising issues affecting the lives of families and individuals in Catalyst homes.

I've been in the public sector all my life. I trained and worked as a secondary school teacher, teaching English and Drama to pupils in London comprehensives - and for the British Council in Madrid, Spain. I then retrained as an archivist.

I'm now back in education at King's College London but still an archivist, I lead on delivering engagement activities for students, researchers, academics and the general public.

Most important to me is ensuring that all social housing residents are treated with respect, have a voice that’s heard, can live their own lives - and are supported in ways which help them reach their potential.

Elaine

I am a leaseholder of a Peabody property. I live in Central Bedfordshire and have only recently joined Peabody. I am semi-retired and have spent the last 22 years working in social housing in resident engagement.

I am currently an associate with tpas which is an organisation specialising in ensuring tenants and residents have a voice. I am passionate about residents being involved in the overseeing of the design and delivery of the housing services that affect them.

Ingrid

Collaboration amongst individuals is everything, whether you’re talking about within business, communities or families. I feel privileged to be a part of the Peabody Co-design Action Group and my aim is to ensure tenants have a real voice that leads to real, beneficial, outcomes for them. I work in communications and hope to use my skills to make sure everyone is able to have a voice and collaborate as far as possible - and tenants are kept informed regarding the changes and initiatives Peabody is planning for its thousands of tenants.

Denise

Since August of 2017 I have been a Peabody resident. . I also serve as the Students' Union President and am a member of both the Finance and Resource Committee and the Governance Committee. In addition, I’m also a newly elected member of the Council of Governors for Camden and Islington’s NHS Foundation Trust.

I’ve worked as a teaching assistant in primary education for 11 years and was co-chair of Peabody’s Strategy and Policy group, representing more than 133,000 residents in our community, as well as joining the London Metropolitan University Board of Governors as Student Governor in July 2022.

I’ve also served on review panels, including the Changes to the Graduate Attainment Report 2019/20, the Inclusive Curriculum Framework, and the Education for Social Justice Framework.

Since moving to the UK from Jamaica in 2002, I’ve learned how London brings people from all backgrounds together – something that's replicated inside the doors of London Met. I hold an MSc in Health Social Care, Management, and Policy and a BA (Hons) in Education and Social Policy from London Met.

What is important to me is helping my community and fellow residents enjoy the experience of being a Peabody resident and also help Peabody to really understand what residents are expecting from their landlord. By Listening to residents’ concerns and being active in helping both parties to achieve their goals in fairness, equality and trust

John

I have been involved in several different ways. I started my journey as a member of a residents’ group following an event held at Kensington Housing Trust. I have been part of different working groups including contractor procurement, local boards, and citizen juries.

I also worked as a member of a small group that looked at the possible partners who wished to merger with KHT which formed Catalyst. At Catalyst I helped to support residents to form groups both formal or informal. I have worked with staff and residents while carrying out a number of reviews (repairs, resident engagement, scrutiny groups); this was mostly done prior to the last merger with Aldwyck.

I am also a member of the customer experience committee, which is a subcommittee of the group board.

Over the years I have learnt a lot about housing and have received training relevant to all the works above, I have also arranged residents’ events and arranged training both through the business and as part of a resident group, including getting independent advisors and trainers.

Lisa

I am passionate about social housing and as a Peabody resident for over 18 years making sure the residents’ voice is heard is very important to me.

I have been involved in Peabody resident groups for several years as well as in my professional life in corporate governance for over 20 years, seeing the bigger picture and being aware of the impact of my actions on others.

I work in the housing sector, which along with my roles on the boards of two small housing associations has helped me understand that there are a wide range of residents and not one size fits all, so I understand and value consensus. I also chair my local medical centre patient participation group. I like to use my knowledge and experience to help as many people as possible and I am lucky enough to be part of this dedicated group of residents who work hard with Peabody staff to ensure improvements are made to resident services.

Joel

I'm Joel and I have rented from Peabody for five years. I live in Pimlico.

Social housing providers are going through a period of change - and Peabody is adapting following a merger - so I joined the co-design group because I felt now was a good time to shape Peabody's approach to resident engagement.