The Customer Committee

Our customer committee is made up of six customers who meet bi-monthly to shape how we deliver services across Sunderland and ensure all customers are at the forefront of the Group’s decision making.

The Customer Committee is a central part of how our services are overseen. It will provide direct feedback to the our Board to ensure that consumer standards are being met, value for money is being achieved and excellent services are being delivered to our customers households.

Meet the Customer Committee

Julia Wysocka

Julia sits on the Board Member of the Sunderland Black and Minority Ethnic Network, and is currently a Community Development Officer at ICOS.

She has experience of working within the voluntary sector and leads on community projects focusing on women's empowerment, community leadership and research into Eastern European women's experiences.

Julia also has experience of providing in depth support to survivors of domestic abuse, victims of hate crime and antisocial behaviour. She is passionate about supporting minoritised communities and making sure everyone’s voices are heard and their needs are recognised.

Stephanie Carr

Stephanie previously spent time as Vice Chair on the board of her local Children's Centre. She is also involved in the Labour Party, serving on the Constituency Labour Party board for her local area.

Steph doesn’t believe in perfection and thinks things can always be improved and is passionate about customers getting the best service and experience possible.

John Dannell 

John is a retired school teacher and has worked with Gentoo in various roles over a 17 year period, from being a Group Board Member to being the current Chair of our Customer and Community Voice group.

John holds two other Charity Directorships and is a Member of the Empower Community Fund.

John is passionate about the need for good social housing and the interests and well being of customers.

Victoria Smith

Victoria works within the mental health sector and after finding herself living in an assisted living facility at a young age, she feels she can offer her knowledge and life experience to become a confident member, advocating for customers and becoming an integral part of the team of Gentoo to support our customers as much as possible.

Doreen Richardson

Doreen is committed to representing the people of the area to ensure their voice is heard on matters of importance regarding their homes.

Doreen has recently retired from a career in the private sector working for a global leader in the paints and coatings industry. Her experience is in Quality, Health, Safety and Environmental aspects of the business, with experience supporting the business globally on regulatory issues.

Angela Dalzell 

Angela has lived in Washington for 40 years and has been a customer of Gentoo for 16 years.

Angela has 13 years of experience within Housing and holds a recognised degree from the Chartered Institute of Housing. Angela was also a former youth worker and has significant experience in supporting and assisting customers who have experienced domestic abuse, homelessness, BAME, customers with disabilities, care leavers and probation services.

The inclusion of all customers is her commitment and she is passionate about customer service and supporting her community.