Tenant Engagement Champions
Having your say on our housing services
Following feedback from tenants, Tenant Engagement Champions have been set up to give tenants the opportunity to speak to one another and share their views on their local community with District Council officers.
These champions are here to listen to the views of tenants and raise them with the District Council to action.
Residents can get involved at any time by emailing Getinvolved@newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk.
Your Tenant Engagement Champions
Richard Tracy
Newark Champion
My name is Richard Tracy and I have been a tenant of Newark and Sherwood District Council since 2003. I first became involved in shaping housing services in 2008 through the former Newark Sherwood Homes who were due to be inspected by the then Audit Commission. Following the return of housing services to the Council in 2020, I have been actively involved in working in partnership with tenants, officers, and councillors to influence and improve the delivery of housing services that are important to tenants. I currently undertake Grounds Maintenance inspections within my local area of Balderton and support tenant engagement through Community Link Groups across Newark. These groups provide a structured forum for tenants to raise and discuss issues affecting their local neighbourhoods. I also participate in estate walkabouts alongside other tenants, officers, and councillors to identify, review, and address estate-related issues. In addition, I am involved in the inspection of empty properties to assess compliance with the Council’s Fit to Let Standard. Where properties do not meet the required standard, I support the formal process of recording failures and ensuring that appropriate remedial works are completed prior to re-letting. As a Tenant Engagement Champion, I contribute to the development and review of policies that shape housing services for tenants. I am currently an active member of both the Tenant Engagement Board and the Housing Assurance Board.
Helen Douthwaite
Sherwood Champion
Hello, I am Helen Douthwaite and I have been a tenant for over 20 years and in that time, I’ve lived in Southwell and the surrounding villages. My role as an engaged tenant began 4 years ago, and I have attended training events and conferences, which have helped me develop professionally, whilst growing my knowledge and confidence. My years as a tenant plus my new skills and knowledge have helped me take on many roles with the Council, such as Vice Chair of the Tenant Engagement Board, Empty Homes Inspector, Grounds Maintenance Inspector, GLOW Panel Member and Tenant Engagement Champion. All of these roles have given me the opportunity to play a part in improving services for the tenants of Newark and Sherwood. As a Tenant Engagement Champion I get to have a direct input into the policies and procedures that underpin the quality and service we receive, making a real positive difference. But my favourite part of my role is meeting tenants, having a chat and when needed, supporting them with home and tenancy issues. Because every tenant deserves a decent home where they feel safe. .
Mike Frettsome
Building Safety Champion
My name is Mike Frettsome, I became a tenant with Newark and Sherwood Homes in 2008, moving into a bungalow in Thurgarton. My voluntary work as an Involved Tenant began in 2013 when I joined a Scrutiny Panel alongside other Involved Tenants. I progressed onto the Board of Newark and Sherwood Homes, where I served for six years until the decision was made to bring the Company back in-house under Newark and Sherwood District Council. When Newark and Sherwood District Council took over, I continued my involvement as an Involved Tenant. A small group of three tenants was set up to sit on both the Tenant Engagement Board and the Housing Advisory Board. I was invited to join this group with a specific responsibility for looking at health and safety issues on behalf of all tenants which I accepted. I ran my own electrical contracting business for thirty years, which gave me valuable insight into health and safety in the home and the construction industry - experience I now use to help protect and improve conditions for all tenants.
Community Link Groups
Our Community Link Groups complement and provide feedback to our Tenant Engagement Champions.
Taking place at locations across the district the Groups provide a more local focus and provide an opportunity for tenants, leaseholders and residents to raise issues and ideas that are specific to their local community. Issues and ideas discussed at the Community Link Groups will be raised to Tenant Engagement Champions for further discussion and through to the District Council for consideration.
More information is available on our Community Link Group webpage including details of when the next meetings are taking place.
Become an involved tenant
Tenants can get involved in many engagement opportunities, this includes policy reviews, mystery shopping, estate walkabouts and much more.
More information on how to become an involved tenant is available on our or you can get in touch by emailing getinvolved@newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk