Specialist housing provider for older people Alpha Living is celebrating after its resident Board member was recognised as Tenant of the Year at a prestigious regional Awards ceremony.
Community champion Veronica Cuthbert, who was a founding member of Alpha Living’s Scrutiny Panel, won the accolade in front of more than 700 people at a packed Northern Housing Awards in Manchester.
The leading Wirral-based housing association’s in-house Alpha Works team were also Finalists in the Best Repairs and Maintenance Service for delivering an exceptional service to residents, with satisfaction levels at an all-time high of 90.9% for repairs and maintenance and overall satisfaction reaching 92.7%.
Utilising more than 50 years of NHS expertise where in the latter stages of her career she championed equality, diversity and human rights, alongside other residents Veronica was involved in the review and scrutiny of Alpha Living’s Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging (EDIB) Strategy. This strategy has been implemented across Alpha’s 21 schemes for older people, becoming the benchmark for the respectful behaviour of residents, colleagues, external contractors and wider stakeholders, positively impacting more than 1,000 residents.
For the last 10 years, Veronica, who lives at Alpha Living’s Edel Quinn House in Upton, Wirral, has been a guide at Liverpool’s Metropolitan Cathedral. After meeting a local Primary School at the Cathedral, she became a volunteer for their Reading Support, forging strong intergenerational bonds and helping young pupils develop their confidence and enhance their crochet skills.
The Judges described Veronica as “a true community champion whose warmth, dedication and lived experience continue to inspire those around her.” The Judges were impressed by Veronica’s extraordinary contribution to both Alpha Living and the wider community, adding: “Through her work, Veronica has helped shape more inclusive services while positively influencing the lives of over one thousand residents.”
Wirral-born Veronica, who has two Masters Degrees; Research into Communications between Nurses, Patients and Relatives and Care of the Human Spirit, also celebrated her 80th birthday this year, said:
“I’m over the moon to have won this amazing Award; I’m still pinching myself, as I can’t believe it! This was a magnificent evening, sharing this unexpected success with my fellow Board members. It’s so rewarding for the whole Alpha Living team to be acknowledged by the housing sector for the commitment we all have to make a positive difference across our communities.”
Sally Parsons, CEO of Alpha Living, added:
“The whole Alpha Living team is so proud that Veronica’s hard work and expertise has been recognised with a prestigious Northern Housing Award shining a light on excellence across the sector. Veronica is such a worthy winner and continues to make a massive contribution to Alpha Living’s communities, with her warm and respectful approach to everyone she meets. Congratulations for this fantastic achievement Veronica.”
Rev Deacon Paul Mannings, of Liverpool’s Metropolitan Cathedral, said:
“Veronica’s work is making a difference to the community by welcoming local, national and international visitors. Her presence is a community enrichment of innovation and catching enthusiasm. Visitors arrive feeling welcome and leave with the perception that their presence has been valued.
“Veronica’s level of care goes beyond the call of duty. Hers is a community mission to serve the thousands of people she meets, greets and calls ‘friends’ simply because her personality reaches out to each and everyone. Veronica’s life is about community in a sense that breaches the age divide.”