Bolton at Home on Bolton FM

Shaira Najak - Employment Project Officer (Working Wardrobe)
Shaira has worked for Bolton at Home for over two years. Shaira previously mentored graduates in her previous corporate role.

Working in our Employment and Enterprise Team as an Employment Project Officer, Shaira manages our Working Wardrobe service, supporting people with interview coaching, sector specific mock interviews and feedback, one-to-one tailored employment support, as well as appropriate interview clothing.

The support at Working Wardrobe is available free of charge to anyone who lives in Bolton and has an upcoming interview. You can learn more about Working Wardrobe and how it could support you or someone you know at: www.boltonathome.org.uk/working-wardrobe.

Mary Winrow - Customer Training Co-Ordinator
Mary is our Customer Training Coordinator and has worked for us for over six years. Before coming to Bolton at Home, she previously worked as a Patient Experience Manager in the NHS, where she worked for over 18 years.

Mary works in the Employment & Enterprise Team, and as well as arranging free courses for our customers to attend (see them at: www.boltonathome.org.uk/customer-training-programme) - which are designed to boost their confidence and CVs - she also supports our Working Wardrobe project and is currently looking into the support is available for new start-up businesses in Bolton.

Mary loves helping people get back into work and ensuring that our customers are always at the centre of everything she does.

Noel Sharpe - Group Chief Executive Officer

Noel, guiding the way as our Group CEO since January 2023, draws on many years of executive-level experience in social housing.

Passionate about health, wellbeing, and financial inclusion, Noel drives initiatives that positively impact our customers and communities.

With a background spanning general needs and supported housing, property maintenance and regeneration, Noel is committed to enhancing lives through her strategic leadership.

As Group CEO, Noel has overall responsibility for compliance with the national standards, including consumer standards, set by the Regulator of Social Housing.

As our expert Home Energy Advisers (for our social enterprise subsidiary, Starts with you**), Tom and Asif are here to put any worries you might have around rising energy costs at bay. They'll do this by:

• reviewing your energy tariffs (when the market allows), 
• advising on winter fuel payments,
• providing tailored energy saving advice
• and much more

 Denise works as our Housing Support and Safeguarding Manager (Older People).

David Batten - Chief Executive Officer of Bolton's Hoot Credit Union
David's the CEO of Hoot Credit Union, which is based in Bolton's Victoria Square and has been operating for over 17 years.

Hoot's a financial cooperative, meaning its 4,500+ members save money together, and use it to provide affordable loans to one another.

If you'd like to learn more about what Hoot can do for you, listen to the podcast below, then visit www.wisewithmoney.org.uk.

Follow David on Twitter @HootCU_David

Cath Wohlers - LIAISE Manager from Stop Loan Sharks
Cath works for Stop Loan Sharks (also known as the England Illegal Money Lending Team)- a government-funded, criminal investigation team that exists to identify, investigate, and prosecute loan sharks and/or illegal money lenders.

If you'd like to learn more about how Stop Loan Sharks can help, including via their Live Chat (9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday), visit: www.stoploansharks.co.uk.

Caroline worked in our Community Engagement Team as a Community Development Officer and is also a Trustee of Endeavour (www.endeavourproject.org.uk)- a local charity that supports people (and pets) affected by domestic abuse.

Karen Allsop - Head of Support and Safeguarding (Bolton at Home)

Karen's been our Head of Support and Safeguarding since 2018 and oversees our:

• Tenancy Support and Sustainment Team (learn more or get support: www.boltonathome.org.uk/tenancy-support),
• Safeguarding Team (phone our team in confidence on 01204 328008 or email safeguarding@boltonathome.org.uk if you need safeguarding support),
• Complex Families & Interventions Team,
• and Domestic Abuse and Violence Team (learn more or get support: www.boltonathome.org.uk/domestic-abuse).

These services provide support, advice, and assistance to customers who are vulnerable or in need. They also promote successfully sustained tenancies and communities.

Follow Karen on Twitter: @KarenAllsop7

Jill Caldwell - Chief Executive, Endeavour Domestic Abuse Service 

Since she took up the role of CEO in 2019, Jill's overseen Endeavour's work to support people and pets affected by domestic abuse.

As a registered charity, Endeavour offers a wide range of services including front line community based support, group work, and counselling. Their services are accessible to anyone affected by domestic abuse- and the charity were the first in the UK to offer an in-house pet fostering service to enable those with pets to flee an abusive household without surrendering or leaving their animals.

To learn more about Endeavour and their work, visit their website: www.endeavourproject.org.uk.

Follow Jill on Twitter: @EndvCEO

Follow Endeavour Project on Twitter: @EndeavourDAV

Craig Tyldesley - Head of Revenue Services (Bolton at Home)
Craig's responsible for an effective rent collection service alongside overseeing a Money Advice Team that offers advice on a range of money matters to anyone living in a Bolton at Home property. He's also the lead officer for tackling poverty for the Bolton at Home Group.

Follow Craig on Twitter: @CraigT_BaH

Noel Sharpe - Group Chief Executive (former Deputy Chief Executive)

Noel started as our Group Chief Executive Officer in January 2023. Noel had previously been our Deputy Group CEO from 2018, and first joined us in 2015.

Noel has been working in the sphere of social housing in the northwest for more than 15 years at a senior level, having previously worked in London for 10 years before that. Her experience spans all aspects of general needs and supported housing management, property maintenance and investment, regeneration and new homes development.

Noel has a keen interest in the health and wellbeing, and financial inclusion agendas and how these two very important factors can directly help to improve the lives of customers and the communities and neighbourhoods we serve.

Jon Lord - Former Group Chief Executive Officer (who's now been succeeded by Noel Sharpe)

After initially working as a funeral director, Jon made the leap into housing in 1987 and gained his wealth of experience with a wide variety of roles in management and tenant participation.

Jon became a Chief Officer at Bolton Council in 2001 and has been the Chair of the Greater Manchester Consortium for refugees and asylum seekers since that time.  In addition, he had a unique joint role across the Local Authority, ALMO (Arms Length Management Organisation) and Strategic Housing Partnership, managing a wide range of housing services as well as responsibility for the development of affordable housing.

He was awarded an OBE in 2007 for services to housing.

In April 2010, Jon became our Chief Executive, while we were still an ALMO, and has led our transition from ALMO to a registered housing provider and charity, and now charitable community benefit society, delivering a wide range of housing and community based services across all neighbourhoods in Bolton.

Jon is also Chair of Greater Manchester Housing Providers, a partnership of 27 housing organisations, including Bolton at Home, which together house over half a million of the city region’s residents. GMHP members share a common set of values and goals to provide quality affordable homes, tackle homelessness, reduce pressures on health and social care, support local communities, contribute to the Greater Manchester economy and help people into employment.

Jon, retired as our Group Chief Executive Officer in December 2022.

Wednesday 1 June 2022, 12:00pm, 25 mins

As the Queen's Platinum Jubilee approached, we spoke to some of our tenants from across the borough about:

• getting back together after the peak of the pandemic,
• what it’s like to live at our sheltered schemes,
• what they did to celebrate past Jubilees (and the Coronation)- and their favourite memories,
• and more..

..as they prepped bunting, crowns, and flags for this year's Jubilee celebrations.

Jon Lord - Former Group Chief Executive Officer (who's now been succeeded by Noel Sharpe)

After initially working as a funeral director, Jon made the leap into housing in 1987 and gained his wealth of experience with a wide variety of roles in management and tenant participation.

Jon became a Chief Officer at Bolton Council in 2001 and has been the Chair of the Greater Manchester Consortium for refugees and asylum seekers since that time.  In addition, he had a unique joint role across the Local Authority, ALMO (Arms Length Management Organisation) and Strategic Housing Partnership, managing a wide range of housing services as well as responsibility for the development of affordable housing.

He was awarded an OBE in 2007 for services to housing.

In April 2010, Jon became our Chief Executive, while we were still an ALMO, and has led our transition from ALMO to a registered housing provider and charity, and now charitable community benefit society, delivering a wide range of housing and community based services across all neighbourhoods in Bolton.

Jon is also Chair of Greater Manchester Housing Providers, a partnership of 27 housing organisations, including Bolton at Home, which together house over half a million of the city region’s residents. GMHP members share a common set of values and goals to provide quality affordable homes, tackle homelessness, reduce pressures on health and social care, support local communities, contribute to the Greater Manchester economy and help people into employment.

Jon retired as our Group Chief Executive Officer in December 2022.

As one of the expert Home Energy Advisers for our social enterprise subsidiary, Starts with you, Tom Kirby's here to put any worries tenants and local residents might have around rising energy costs at bay.

He does this by:

As well as his podcast (below), Tom's also created a series of 'Top Saving Tips' videos that're designed to help us all save money on our energy bills. Click here to give Tom's Top Saving Tips videos a watch.

You can also visit: www.boltonathome.org.uk/energy-advice if you'd like to book a free appointment with our Home Energy Advisers, Tom and Asif.

Warren Brierley - Head of Customer Experience
As our Head of Customer Experience, Warren acts as the 'internal voice' of our customers, taking the lead on the development of our Customer Strategy.

As the lead of our Contact Centre, Warren helps to deliver high quality customer contact through a range of services.

Gemma Parlby - Group Director of Housing and Customer Services
Starting out as a Furnished Accommodation Officer for Rochdale Council, Gemma has now worked in housing for over 18 years.

Gemma has also worked with Irwell Valley and Rochdale Boroughwide Housing, helping to deliver their regeneration programmes. Along with her current role with us as Director of Housing Services, she is currently the chair of the GMHP’s (Greater Manchester Housing Providers) supported housing group and a trustee of Bolton Community Transport and Furniture Services.

Craig Hardman - Head of Homefinder Services
As our Head of Homefinder Services, Craig’s team allocate all of Bolton at Home’s available properties within Bolton and the North West.

Homefinder Services also provides a front facing service that enables and supports customers in making changes to their tenancy when needed.

The Homefinder service is driven by a desire to welcome new customers to their home and ensure that customers are signposted to the range of services offered by Bolton at Home. Members of the team are committed to developing and delivering the most effective services for our customers.

Craig began his career with Bolton Council in January 1993, moving into Housing in 2000 and becoming part of the senior management team in 2008.

Craig is Bolton at Home’s Armed Forces Champion and has led on a number of Greater Manchester Homelessness projects in addition to supporting local Homeless Projects.

Outside of Bolton at Home, Craig is a volunteer football coach and coaches a Under 9’s football team and is a keen footballer himself!

Noel Sharpe - formely our Deputy Chief Executive, now our Group Chief Executive
Noel started as our Group Chief Executive Officer in January 2023. Noel had previously been our Deputy Group CEO from 2018, and first joined us in 2015.

Noel has been working in the sphere of social housing in the northwest for more than 15 years at a senior level, having previously worked in London for 10 years before that. Her experience spans all aspects of general needs and supported housing management, property maintenance and investment, regeneration and new homes development.

Noel has a keen interest in the health and wellbeing, and financial inclusion agendas and how these two very important factors can directly help to improve the lives of customers and the communities and neighbourhoods we serve.

Carrie Riley - Employment and Enterprise Manager

Shauna Morton - Head of Community Investment
Shauna currently oversees our Community Investment Team, which provides a front facing service that enables and supports the transformation of lives of both tenants and their communities by focusing on the long term sustainability of our neighbourhoods and their ability to respond resiliently to change.

The Community Investment team is made up of officers - with community-focused roles in Community Development, Percent for Art, Peer Navigators and a number of externally funded Programmes & Partnerships - who are truly passionate about working with communities to bring about positive change. Click here to meet the Community Investment Team.

Rob Andrews - People Development Manager
Rob Andrews is our People Development Manager and joined us in 2017.

He and his team look after the training needs of all our staff right across the Bolton at Home group. Since joining the organisation- and his involvement with Bolton Pride- the numbers of those people involved both from customers and staff has increased to over 200 at the last Pride parade in 2019.

Diversity and Inclusivity is high on Rob's agenda. As an openly gay man, he's proud to work for a company like Bolton at Home that actively promotes inclusivity and respect for each persons own personal differences. He's one of the main leads in the company's Bring Your Best Self To Work programme, which is heavily focused on respecting and understanding differences. He's passionate about fairness for all- whatever that looks like- and has actively promoted this not just in his work with training, but with engagement in the business, and also for our customers as well.

James Edgington - Festival Director, Bolton Pride
James is a freelance theatre director and co-founder of Bolton Pride. James heads up all aspects of the Bolton Pride festival along with the outreach programmes that the organisation offers. 

Craig Tyldesley -  Head of Revenue Services (Bolton at Home)
Craig's responsible for an effective rent collection service alongside overseeing a Money Advice Team that offers advice on a range of money matters to anyone living in a Bolton at Home property. He's also the lead officer for tackling poverty for the Bolton at Home Group.

Follow Craig on Twitter: @CraigT_BaH

David Batten - Chief Executive Officer of Bolton's Hoot Credit Union
David's the CEO of Hoot Credit Union, which is based in Bolton's Victoria Square and has been operating for over 17 years.

Hoot's a financial cooperative, meaning its 4,500+ members save money together, and use it to provide affordable loans to one another.

If you'd like to learn more about what Hoot can do for you, listen to the podcast below, then visit www.wisewithmoney.org.uk.

Follow David on Twitter @HootCU_David

We’ve teamed-up with local visual arts duo Illuminos to bring a socially distanced pop-up arts project to the borough featuring a vintage Mini Cooper. 

The ‘MiniCineMagic’ initiative will see an old-style 1990 Mini touring the borough to project images and video featuring people’s good news on homes and buildings.

The Mini will tour Bolton after sunset from Tuesday 16 March. We’ll share more details of the neighbourhoods being visited and live stream it from our Bolton at Home Communities Facebook page.

To learn all about the project and how to get involved, give the podcast below a listen. You'll hear from Housing Arts Officers Gaynor Cox and Shonagh Ingram from our Community Investment Team, along with brothers Rob and Matt Vale from Illuminos (https://www.illuminos.co.uk/).

Click here to read more about the MiniCineMagic project.

Hayley’s our Money Advice Manager and won the 'Inspirational Employee' title during 2020's Direct Works Forum Awards ceremony. 

Her well-deserved win really painted a vivid picture of just how good she is at looking after her team. She joined Bolton at Home as a Management Support Officer before progressing to her current position as Money Advice Manager in 2014- and the fact that seven members of Hayley’s team independently nominated her for the award speaks a thousand words as to just how much of an ‘Inspirational Employee’ she really is.

“I’d just like to say a huge thank you to my team for nominating me. I’m genuinely thrilled to have won.”

Hayley’s skill in both leading and supporting the Money Advice Team has not only resulted in happy colleagues- but happy customers, too. During 2019 to 2020, the team supported over 1,300 households to secure a total of £6.5 million in financial gains, and they’re here for you or someone you know, too. Click here to learn more about how our Money Advice Team can help.

He's passionate about the work he does and heads up a team that's full of people who care deeply about improving the lives of our customers. What drives him and his team is that nobody should be disadvantaged because of where they live. He says, ‘Talent is everywhere but opportunities aren’t and our task is to provide the platforms and the networks of support so that our customers can get those opportunities that would otherwise be denied’.
 

Carrie Riley - Employment and Enterprise Manager

Edward Mellor - Executive Director of Finance

Edward trained as an accountant at Trafford Council before joining Stockport Council where he looked after the accounts of the council housing prior to joining Bolton at Home in July 2003.

Edward was appointed a Chief Officer at Bolton at Home in 2016 having been part of the team which saw the transfer of the housing stock from Bolton Council in 2011. Edward leads on business and financial planning, treasury management & fraud and risk management.

Edward completed 9 years as a board member at Adactus Housing Group in 2017.

Lisa Tulip - Group Director of Data, Digital & Business Technology

Lisa leads our digital transformation, data management and business technology strategy.

Enthusiastic about teamwork and positive change, Lisa oversees systems development, data management and protection, and partnerships and communications.

In respect of the regulatory standards, Lisa’s work mainly contributes to compliance with the transparency, influence and accountability standard.

Gemma Parlby - Group Director of Customer and Communities

Gemma takes pride in fostering teamwork to deliver quality services for customers and communities.  

With a background in various housing roles, Gemma oversees tenancy support, income management and money advice, home allocations, older people’s services, safeguarding, community engagement, and customer experience.

In respect of the regulatory consumer standards, Gemma’s work contributes to compliance with all the consumer standards and particularly the transparency, influence and accountability standard, tenancy and neighbourhood and community standards.