A life in housing
Gina Veale has worked for Westward for 36 years! So on the day of her retirement we took a moment to reflect about her time at Markers older person's scheme at Uffculme.
The Markers sheltered housing scheme was originally set up in the 1970s by Uffculme Housing Trust, led by the Reverend Geoffrey Fraser and a group of trustees who were keen to provide decent affordable housing for the older and disabled residents of the village. The building was funded by grants from the Housing Corporation.
Phase one of Markers was opened at the end of 1978 with 29 homes. In 1986 phase two of Markers was built and the estate grew from 29 to 41 properties. A second warden’s three-bedroom house had been built and the trustees advertised for a residential deputy warden. Interviews took place and Gina was chosen to fill the post of deputy warden and so began a 36 year working relationship.
In March 1986, Gina moved into number 39 with her husband Mike, and 8 year old son Ross. It wasn’t long before their daughter, Sophie, arrived in 1987. Their children grew up on the estate and became an integral part of life at Markers.
It was in the 1990s that Uffculme Housing Trust selected Westcountry Housing Association to undertake the management of the estate. Gina and Yvette Cottrell, scheme manager, were concerned about the ‘takeover’ and the possible loss of their local support but they needn’t have worried because Westcountry has looked after them well. A few years later, Westcountry further evolved to become what we now know as Westward Housing Group.
Gina and Yvette provided the highest standard of housing services and were rewarded with Gold in the Elderly Accommodation Counsel (EAC) Housing for Older People awards in 2010.
Gina has supported hundreds of residents over the past 36 years, during which we have seen the role (and the title) of warden change to scheme manager and then to housing worker. But fundamentally, the responsibility of caring and providing support for older people at Markers has remained the same.
Thank you for your service Gina and happy retirement!