12 November 2026
Meet your new Residents' Council members
We're pleased to introduce our two newest members of the Residents' Council, rented residents Rob Parry and Sue Foster. Both recently attended their first council meeting and are keen to make a difference for residents.
Rob's first impressions
Rob found his first meeting “a very interesting experience”, which he “enjoyed a lot and found it fascinating”.
He could see that both senior leaders and residents were working hard to make the best decisions for residents. He was particularly impressed by the Chief Executive's openness and willingness to listen.
Rob will act as the council's lead on housing regulation. Drawing on over 25 years' experience in higher education as a senior lecturer and academic supervisor, he is looking forward to acting as a critical friend and helping the council understand and challenge regulatory issues on behalf of residents.
Sue's focus on wellbeing 
Sue also enjoyed her first meeting and said she quickly felt comfortable, recognising some familiar faces around the table. She was impressed by the Residents' Council Chair, both how she ran the meeting and challenged senior leaders when needed, making sure residents were considered at all times.
As the council's Wellbeing Lead, Sue is particularly passionate about helping more residents get involved in our Be Well activities, especially as the darker winter months approach. She believes one of the biggest challenges is helping people overcome their worries about using technology. Sue explained: "If you don't use technology, you can miss out on lots of opportunities to connect with other people."
Over the coming months, Sue plans to attend the various online Be Well sessions, including social activities, clubs and exercise sessions. She hopes this will help her understand what residents experience and allow her to share feedback and ideas with Anchor's wellbeing team.
Sue knows that trying something new can feel daunting. "The first time you join a session, it's natural to feel a bit unsure," she said.
Her advice is simple: if you're thinking about joining a Be Well session, why not ask a neighbour to join you? Whether it's a coffee morning, quiz, book club or another activity, attending with someone you know can make it much easier to take that first step.
She has also suggested that locations with Wi-Fi and a communal lounge could make Be Well sessions more social by showing them on a shared television screen. Activities such as Tai Chi and Keep Fit, which both take place twice a week, could become a great way for neighbours to exercise together and meet new people.
Look out for future newsletter articles where we'll continue to share updates from your Residents' Council and the work they are doing on behalf of residents.
