A Mansfield housing manager who regularly goes above and beyond to make a positive difference to others was described as a true inspiration as she was presented with a regional award.

Michelle Turton, Mansfield District Council’s housing needs manager, was awarded the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) award for an exceptional contribution by a CIH member in the East Midlands.

Her success took Michelle into the national CIH Housing Heroes awards.

Michelle’s responsibilities at the council include leading the team that deals with homelessness.

She recently set up the ASSIST hospital discharge scheme that helps to prevent bed-blocking by patients with housing issues.
The scheme won an award last year from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).

Michelle has also set up a Well-Being Sanctuary, which aims to reduce the number of people in crisis needing NHS help for mental health, drug or alcohol issues, and was also behind a new community fruit and vegetable garden project to tackle social isolation and help local people to improve their health through exercise and diet.

The CIH judges commented: “Michelle is clearly a practitioner making a real difference in her area and goes above and beyond her role and is a true inspiration to others.

“Her ability to implement new schemes within her organisation while keeping customers at the heart of everything is evident.”

For the award, nominators had to demonstrate how the nominee made an outstanding contribution and professional commitment to their organisation and the communities they work in, acted as a role model, and inspired others in the housing sector.

Sarah Troman, director of communities at Mansfield District Council, who nominated Michelle for the award, said: “Michelle is always looking for new ideas and initiatives.

“She has brilliant partnership building skills and has adopted an innovative approach to rough sleepers in Mansfield, which has seen a reduction in the official count of almost 50% over the past 12 months — the opposite of the trend nationally.

“Michelle is always cheerful and friendly, despite being one of the busiest people I have ever worked with.

“She genuinely cares about customers and securing the best outcome for them.”

Michelle said: “I am privileged to work alongside a brilliant team that is committed and passionate about making a difference to the lives of vulnerable people.

“This award is for them and in particular Christine Fisher, housing operations and safeguarding manager, because without their hard work, many of these developments would not have been possible.”

Pictured is Michelle Turton, second left, receiving her CIH award from Jill Allcoat, watched by mayor Kate Allsop, left, and Sarah Troman, right.