Region 6: South West Scotland

Hugh Wilson Fraser - Chair

Before I retired I was employed as a quality controller with ICI in Dumfries. I have been involved in the tenant movement for 16 years. I served from 1992 as a tenant representative on Dumfries Council on the housing services committee and the tenant participation committee. I joined the shadow board for stock transfer in 1998 until the stock transfer in 2003. I was a founder member of Dumfries & Galloway Housing Partnership and registered as a director in August of 2001. I left D&GHP in 2008. In 2003 I joined Engaging Tenants Nationally in which I sat on the steering group. At present I am Chair of Region 6. I am also Chairman of Dumfries & Galloway Federation of Tenants and Residents Association.

Jim Hendry - Vice Chair

I have been involved in Housing and Regeneration for over twenty years. I have been chair of my community forum, vice convenor of my Social Inclusion Partnership, the first community activist to sit on our Community Planning Partnership, chair of Access North Ayr an organisation for getting people back to work and also includes childcare. I was also vice chair of the national organisation Partnership Reps Network. I have sat on a few advisory groups the best known was probably the National Standards for Community Engagement. At present I am chair of South Ayrshire Tenants Group, an umbrella group for all tenants in South Ayrshire and I am also a board member of our Community Engagement and Regeneration Trust.

Ronald Ritchie - Secretary

I am 65 years old, single, and I retired from the nursing profession in August of 2008 after 45 years. Seven years ago I got involved with my local Tenants and Residents Association and became secretary a year later. For the last five years I have been vice chair of the TARA. I became a committee member of Federation for Tenants and Residents for Dumfries & Galloway and I am now vice chair. I became a committee member for Region 6 a year ago and took on the role of Secretary, which I still hold at the current time.

Frank Dawson - Treasurer

As ex Service and Police I’ve had more than my share of experience in administration and paperwork so it was a smooth transition when I became involved in voluntary work as a member of Moscow and later Galston Community Councils. When approached by a group of local people to start a Tenant and Resident Association it was, so to speak, ‘up my street’. We’ve had a very successful four years and I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as Chair. I was a member of the Work Groups for the setting up of the East Ayrshire Federation and Region 6 and have found it interesting working with members of other parts of the area and further afield.

Janet Steele

I have been a member of Bells bank Tenants and Residents Association for three years and I am very involved with local issues and improving the services we receive and our local amenities. I am also a member of the Community Council. I enjoy my role in these groups as I feel it is very rewarding work and good to see improvements being made within our community.

Bill Martin

I have been involved in tenant participation since moving from a tied farm cottage to a council house in 1995. I was instrumental in the setting up of the Dalbeattie tenants and residents in 1996 and was chair of that organisation for eight years. During that time the council houses were transferred to a social landlord, Dumfries and Galloway housing partnership. I was a member of the transition group that saw the takeover of all council houses in the region.

I am the representative for the Dalbeattie tenants and residents on the Dumfries and Galloway tenants and residents federation since its inception.

I have been a member of the Region 6 Committee representing Dumfries and Galloway for the past year.

Mark Hemphill

I came into tenant representation when I heard that there were plans to demolish my home. Having been successful as what can be fairly described as a "Nay" sayer, and with my background in the Citizens Advice Bureau, I quickly graduated to the position of Chair of the nascent East Ayrshire Federation. From there joining the RTO Network was a simple logical next step.

Joanne Wilson

I am 64 years old. I am partially disabled due to a back injury, but this doesn’t stop me contributing.

I’ve been a regular attendee at the Region 6 meetings for the last 8 months. I’m the chairperson of Annan East Tenants and Residents Association. I’ve been an active member of my local TARA for 2 years. During that time we have been successful in several improvements to our local area.

We have also commenced an ambitious local project to regenerate a local park area and I have been particularly active in fund raising.

Allison Devaney

I have attended several meetings of the Regional Network to date, taken part in group discussions and been part of a team which assisted in the skills analysis framework.

I have recently helped form and set up Annbank Tenants and Residents Association and voted on as secretary.

Being involved in the Regional Network Committee allows me to meet people from other RTO’s, share ideas, as well as giving me a voice in the decision making process which affects the tenants and residents our group represent.

Naomi Dawson

I am 20 years old. I am a tenant of East Ayrshire and a committee member of East Gauchallands TIARA. I am also the secretary of the local neighbourhood watch.

I became involved at an early age in community matters when my grandparents were members of the action group for saving the local school.

I was born and raised in East Ayrshire and I have studied in Kilmarnock and Ayr College. At present I am unemployed. I helped my papa in his campaign when he stood for local council.

Anne T Cameron

I have been Chairperson of Treetops Tenants and Residents Association in Troon since its inception in 1991. I am also a member of Troon Community Council. Over the years I have been involved in many working groups on all aspects of housing in Kyle and Carrick, now South Ayrshire, including the stock option process. I have an excellent working relationship with Council Officers and Elected members. I have spoken at TPAS and CIH conferences a few times. I have been involved with Region 6 from day one of the first consultation meetings and I am happy that this is proceeding with Ministerial commitment.

Janet Gemmel

I am Janet Gemmell and I am 63 years of age. I have three adult children and six grandchildren. I am Ayr born and bred where I am involved with many groups including RTO Westdrive Tenant & Resident Association, South Ayrshire Tenants Group, Womens Forum, Neighbourhood Forum, and I am also a director of Ayr Community Engagement and Regeneration Trust. I enjoy working with other groups who have the same inspirations as myself and have a voice in making decisions and help out other Tenants & Residents who cant speak for themselves. I hope to do this for as long as I am able as it is important to me.