Board interviews: Gillian Pollard

Find out more about Gillian Pollard, the Tenant Board Member for Thanet.  

What do you do?

I’ve been a carer for my parents for the last few years and before then I worked for the Royal National Institute of Blind People.  I’ve been involved as a tenant representative since 2006 on a range of different groups including being a tenant inspector for Newington and Whitehall.

Why did you want to be part of the Board for East Kent Housing?

I really feel that tenants have a responsibility along with their landlord to get involved in their community and the housing services they receive.  Lots of people complain but don’t do anything to make a difference and I hope by getting involved in the Board I can help represent the needs of tenants.

What do you hope East Kent Housing will offer tenants and leaseholders?

I think the service I receive as a tenant is really good, in my local area of Newington there has been real improvements with new housing being built in the community and anti-social behaviour being tackled.  These improvements have come about because of organisations and local people working together and I hope that this partnership working in East Kent Housing will see real change for tenants and leaseholders across the four areas. 

What do you do for fun?

I really like getting involved in with my local community and I love spending time with my grandchild and family.

Where is your favourite place in East Kent?

It has to be Ramsgate seafront, I love going down there with the family and especially looking at the ‘Ramsgate wall of art’ which is filled with lots of paintings by local artists – its even better than the Turner gallery in Margate!