30 years of Progress | Winifred's story

How many of you have been with us for 30 years?

Back in 1994, tenants of South Ribble Borough Council voted to transfer its 3,500 homes to the newly formed New Progress Housing Association.

As we have evolved over the years to become Progress Housing Group, we own and manage nearly 12,000 properties across the UK. This includes more than 1,200 independent living properties.

One of our independent living tenants who has been with us since the beginning is Winifred.

Born in Chorley, the now 91-year-old moved to a ground-floor flat in Penwortham more than 40 years ago.

She recalls: “We were going to buy a property nearby but my late husband who was 12 years older than me couldn’t get up the stairs, so we got a ground-floor flat in Leyfield instead. I didn’t like it at first because everyone was a lot older than me.

“But I soon got used to it and I love it here. The people are nice and we all get on. If you need anything, I only need to ask a neighbour. One neighbour tells me that if I ever feel ill, all I need to do is knock on the wall and she will call my family.”

Winifred says she enjoys being a Progress tenant and feels reassured by the support from both her independent living coordinator, Ian, and Progress Lifeline.

“I think Progress is alright as a landlord. I think it’s wonderful to have an independent living coordinator who we can see. Ian is really friendly and it’s nice to feel you can approach him.”