Honouring Sara Fearns, who recently passed away | News

We’re deeply saddened to share the news of the passing of our longstanding customer volunteer and tenant, Sara Fearns.

Sara was a dedicated tenant champion for many years and a passionate advocate for her local community. A tenant since 2003, she made a meaningful and lasting difference in her neighbourhood of Johnson Fold.

She was an incredible advocate for our Peer Navigator Programme. As one of the very first Peer Navigators for Johnson Fold back in 2018, she helped shape the programme into what it is today—bringing lived experience, empathy, and a rare ability to make people feel truly heard.

Sara also volunteered as part of our Foundation for the Future social mobility trip in 2019, where she worked on a therapeutic respite centre for people with cerebral palsy and other disabilities. Her compassion and willingness to support people beyond her own community was a true reflection of who she was.

After her time as a Peer Navigator, Sara went on to join our Customer Scrutiny Panel from 2022 to 2024. She later progressed to become a tenant representative on our Operations Committee, continuing to use her insight and experience to help shape and strengthen our services.

All the while, Sara remained deeply rooted in her community—volunteering her time to signpost neighbours to support, taking part in litter picking, and helping with local events and causes. She carried her commitment, kindness, and determination into everything she did.

We’re all devastated to hear of her sudden passing last Friday.

Sara made a lasting impact on so many lives, and her absence will be deeply felt. Our thoughts are with her family, friends, colleagues, and everyone in the community who was touched by her warmth, generosity, and spirit.

Thank you, Sara, for everything you brought to Bolton at Home—and to the wider community.