Golden Lane Housing (GLH) is thrilled that Mark Johnson, GLH tenant and Chair of More Voices, More Choices tenant committee, has been awarded Tenant of the Year at the 2022 Housing Heroes awards.

The annual, national awards for Women in Housing and Housing Heroes were held at Manchester Central last night, opening this year’s Chartered Institute of Housing’s Housing 2022 conference.

The Tenant of the Year award recognises a tenant who has gone the extra mile and demonstrated an innovative approach to helping others. Mark decided to become an involved tenant for GLH a few years ago, and signed up to the More Voices, More Choices to help GLH achieve its vision. Since then, he has become Chair of the committee and has been involved with a number of projects, most recently helping to co-produce GLH’s new three-year plan, known as Our Plan. Mark also does vital work for other organisations including health promotion and delivering training for The Royal Mencap Society, and he campaigns tirelessly to help make a difference to the services people with a learning disability receive in the wider community from health and social care.

Mark, who was a finalist amongst seven other well-deserving nominations from across the country, for the prestigious award, said: “From where I was when I was at school to where I am now, I have proven everyone wrong. Tenants are the most important thing. I’m just overwhelmed. “

John Verge, Chief Executive at GLH, said: “We are beyond proud of Mark and all that he has achieved, at GLH and all of the other organisations he works with. His contributions have really influenced the way we work and his thoughtfulness has instilled confidence in other members of our tenant committee. Mark is an inspiration to us all – we are honoured to have his input and grateful for all of his hard work.

“Congratulations also goes to Anneka Gill, our Trainee Board Member, who won the Professional of the Year – Independent award at the Women in Housing awards, and to all of the other winners and nominees for the Women in Housing and Housing Heroes awards.”

 Jasmine Tansur, Resident Liaison Officer at PA Housing, and one of the judges at this year’s Housing Heroes awards, said: “It was so wonderful to read. Keep going and don’t give up on your dreams.”