Inspirational customer up for top tenant award

A Stonewater customer has been shortlisted for a national award for his work in helping to improve the lives of young people in his community. 

Max Jennings, from Oxfordshire, has been named as a finalist in the Inspirational Young Tenant of the Year category of the 2021 Tenant Participation Advisory Service (TPAS) awards. 

Max was nominated for playing a vital role in keeping people connected during lockdown, speaking up for his neighbours on important issues and for being a mentor to others. 

Max said: “Everything I do and everything that I get involved in; I don’t do for me or to show off and win awards. I do it for other people to show them that it doesn’t matter what background you’ve had, it’s about making the most of your opportunities. 

“If you have the opportunity to have a roof over your head, you have to make the most of that and not take it for granted.” 

Max also provided emergency mental health first aid to a friend who, after calling him at four o’clock in the morning, suggested that he was planning to take his own life. Max managed to keep his friend on the phone for three hours before persuading him to let Max take him to the hospital, advice which Max says saved his friend’s life. 

A member of Stonewater’s Supported Living team who nominated Max for the award, said: “Max is a very capable and determined individual. His genuine concern for others means that he will go the extra mile to help anyone, is very resilient and believes in others as well as himself. 

“Max’s genuine concern for future Stonewater customers is what inspired him to get involved. He wants to make a real difference to young people’s lives; his main motivation is to use his past experiences for good.” 

Max is shortlisted alongside Claire Greenfield from Derwent Living and Owen Brindley from Nottingham City Homes in his category at the TPAS awards, which take place on Friday 8 October.