Volunteers' Week 2025: Housing service volunteers driving service improvement
From 2 - 8 June 2025, Volunteers' Week returns for its 41st year, celebrating the people who give their time, skills, and dedication to make our communities stronger, more inclusive, and more resilient.
Across the council volunteers play an integral role in shaping services, building trust with our communities, and improving lives, and this is particularly true of our housing service, where a dedicated group of tenants volunteer their time to help improve the lives of others, and to make services work better for everyone.
Councillor Chris Buckley, Cabinet Member for Housing at Gateshead Council, recognises the essential role volunteers play in the successful running of the council's housing services:
"Our involved tenants are an integral part of our service. They bring lived experience, practical insight, and a strong sense of civic responsibility to their roles, and their tireless contributions help shape not just our strategies, but also our day-to-day operational priorities. They speak up not only for themselves but for the thousands of tenants they represent, and the positive impact they make through scrutiny, policy input, and community insight, simply cannot be overstated. I sincerely thank them for their dedication and passion."
As we celebrate Volunteers' Week, we're proud to highlight the stories of just a few of our inspiring tenant volunteers, who embody the values of community, compassion and collaboration, as they tell us why they volunteer, and why anyone considering it should do so.
Alan Guest - Resident Influence Panel and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Group volunteer
"For me, being an involved tenant is about ensuring that my experience helps shape how services are delivered. Since becoming a Gateshead Council tenant in 2011, I have taken on several leadership roles, including as a Tenant Director and Customer Scrutiny Panel member. Today, I help drive equitable and responsive service design.
"Tenant involvement isn't tokenistic — it's transformative. Volunteers' Week is a time to celebrate those making a difference, and to remind others that you don't need to be an expert — just someone who cares."
Flo Wood - Resident Influence Panel volunteer
"With over 20 years of volunteering experience, I have championed the resident voice in decision-making, through scrutiny reviews, focus groups, and public feedback forums.
"It's great to feel involved, and feeling like your views are valued. My proudest achievement is knowing my voice is being heard and that I've helped shape how things are done."
"For anyone thinking of giving it a go, do it. You'll learn so much, meet great people, and find new ways to make an impact."
Joseline Nenzou - Strategic Housing Board volunteer
"I'm driven by a passion for humanitarian work and social justice, and enjoy being an advocate for underrepresented voices in Gateshead.
"I want to see positive change and influence policies, especially for vulnerable people, and as a member of the Strategic Housing Board, I have helped shape policy on issues such as complaints handling and community wellbeing.
"Volunteering gives you a platform to speak up — honestly, humbly, and without judgement. I encourage others to join. You'll be empowered and trained to make a difference."
For more information on volunteering with our housing service, and making your voice heard, contact our Tenant Involvement team at involve@gateshead.gov.uk, or call 0191 433 5357.
From 2 - 8 June 2025, Volunteers' Week returns for its 41st year, celebrating the people who give their time, skills, and dedication to make our communities stronger, more inclusive, and more resilient.
Across the council volunteers play an integral role in shaping services, building trust with our communities, and improving lives, and this is particularly true of our housing service, where a dedicated group of tenants volunteer their time to help improve the lives of others, and to make services work better for everyone.
Councillor Chris Buckley, Cabinet Member for Housing at Gateshead Council, recognises the essential role volunteers play in the successful running of the council's housing services:
"Our involved tenants are an integral part of our service. They bring lived experience, practical insight, and a strong sense of civic responsibility to their roles, and their tireless contributions help shape not just our strategies, but also our day-to-day operational priorities. They speak up not only for themselves but for the thousands of tenants they represent, and the positive impact they make through scrutiny, policy input, and community insight, simply cannot be overstated. I sincerely thank them for their dedication and passion."
As we celebrate Volunteers' Week, we're proud to highlight the stories of just a few of our inspiring tenant volunteers, who embody the values of community, compassion and collaboration, as they tell us why they volunteer, and why anyone considering it should do so.
Alan Guest - Resident Influence Panel and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Group volunteer
"For me, being an involved tenant is about ensuring that my experience helps shape how services are delivered. Since becoming a Gateshead Council tenant in 2011, I have taken on several leadership roles, including as a Tenant Director and Customer Scrutiny Panel member. Today, I help drive equitable and responsive service design.
"Tenant involvement isn't tokenistic — it's transformative. Volunteers' Week is a time to celebrate those making a difference, and to remind others that you don't need to be an expert — just someone who cares."
Flo Wood - Resident Influence Panel volunteer
"With over 20 years of volunteering experience, I have championed the resident voice in decision-making, through scrutiny reviews, focus groups, and public feedback forums.
"It's great to feel involved, and feeling like your views are valued. My proudest achievement is knowing my voice is being heard and that I've helped shape how things are done."
"For anyone thinking of giving it a go, do it. You'll learn so much, meet great people, and find new ways to make an impact."
Joseline Nenzou - Strategic Housing Board volunteer
"I'm driven by a passion for humanitarian work and social justice, and enjoy being an advocate for underrepresented voices in Gateshead.
"I want to see positive change and influence policies, especially for vulnerable people, and as a member of the Strategic Housing Board, I have helped shape policy on issues such as complaints handling and community wellbeing.
"Volunteering gives you a platform to speak up — honestly, humbly, and without judgement. I encourage others to join. You'll be empowered and trained to make a difference."
For more information on volunteering with our housing service, and making your voice heard, contact our Tenant Involvement team at involve@gateshead.gov.uk, or call 0191 433 5357.
