Watford has been a major part of my life for more than a decade now and it is the people who make it such a special place. As Chief Executive of Watford Community Housing I have the privilege of getting to know people from across the town, from the residents in the communities we serve through to the local organisations we work in partnership with.

So many of the people I meet work tirelessly to make a difference in their community. We are lucky to work with some amazing individuals who give up their time to represent and support others. These include the volunteers on our Gateway Membership Team, who help to ensure that tenants’ voices are heard, as well as the people who run residents’ associations and other community initiatives.

I believe that Watford is a place where people are committed to making things better and I am always struck by people’s willingness to work together to make positive changes. Watford is very forward-thinking when it comes to key issues that affect residents, including housing. There is a real commitment to finding innovative solutions to deliver genuinely affordable homes, which keep families together and ensure that people can continue to live, work and enjoy life in the town.

I also love how much there is going on in Watford. There is always something new happening somewhere, such as the Big Events that bring together people from all walks of life and the different activities put on by the groups who use our community hubs, which reflect our vibrant and diverse communities.

We are lucky to have great leisure facilities, including lots of excellent parks that are recognised with Green Flag Awards, as well as restaurants, theatres, the Watford Colosseum and even more to come with the redevelopment of the town centre. Watford can also be proud to boast a top-flight football club which does a huge amount of good work for the town through its Community Sports and Education Trust.

Tina Barnard, Chief Executive for Watford Community Housing.