Val and Kerry flying the flag for women in housing | News

Two of our employees have been recognised by the housing industry for their ‘inspiring’ work to help others.

Val Hulme and Kerry Gunshon have been shortlisted for awards at the annual Women in Housing Awards, which take place in Manchester next week.

Val has been nominated for her work in developing our customer drama group Dramatic Action, which has helped numerous people in Bolton turn their lives around by improving their confidence. She has been nominated in the Most Effective Project in Improving the Lives of Women category.

Kerry has played a key role in supporting tenants at our urban care and neighbourhood (UCAN) centres. She's been shortlisted for the Best Female Apprentice award.

Val and Kerry will find out if they've won their respective awards at an event at the Hilton Deansgate Manchester Hotel on Thursday 22 October.

Jon Lord, our chief executive, said: “Val and Kerry’s achievements in helping and inspiring others deserve recognition. They’re both outstanding individuals.

“Val's gone above and beyond the call of duty over a number of years to help vulnerable members of our community. Meanwhile, Kerry has overcome personal challenges of her own to selflessly help others who find themselves in difficult situations.”

Kerry's involved in a number of projects across Bolton, including supporting local residents to volunteer in the ‘Not Shop’, a place where tenants can swap clothes or items for the home.

She's a health champion and works closely with our health development worker to develop initiatives that support people to take ownership of their mental and physical wellbeing. She's also helped set up a parent and toddler group, supporting mums and giving them the confidence to overcome anxieties about getting back into work, drawing on her own experiences and skills.

Jon added: “Kerry's embraced every opportunity to come her way. In a busy, front-facing environment, her people skills have really come into their own and she’s become a firm favourite among our tenants.”

For the past five years customer engagement officer Val has led our customer drama group, Dramatic Action. From humble beginnings, the project has developed into an innovative way to engage those dealing with issues like homelessness, addiction and low self-esteem. 

It’s a very successful project, helping participants gain friends, confidence and skills, while its productions have toured schools, been performed at theatres and even turned into an educational film produced by the BBC.

Jon added: “Val's a genuinely caring person who goes beyond her role to help people, often going out of her way during evenings and weekends to lend her support. The people she’s helped through Dramatic Action can’t speak highly enough of her and the project. Val's thoroughly deserving of this award nomination.”

Now in its third year, the Women in Housing Awards recognise the amazing achievements of women who have pushed personal and organisational boundaries to achieve and implement excellence.

Prizes are given to individuals in nine categories. This year’s event is hosted by British former Commonwealth 800m champion Diane Modahl and the guest speaker is former model turned TV presenter Katie Piper. 

Val's pictured left (centre) with three members of Dramatic Actiion - Anthony Longworth, Terence Finney and Janet Allsopp. Kerry's pictured right.