As part of our Black History month posts, we proudly honour Delores Vassell, Head of Supported Housing and Outreach, and the longest-serving member of staff at @Tuntum Housing Association, Her unwavering dedication has helped shape the movement for racial equity in housing and community empowerment in Nottingham through her work over 3 decades of supporting some of the most vulnerable within the community. .
Delores joined Tuntum on 8th April 1991 and at the time she was the only housing officer alongside 3 other members of staff, with only 60 homes at the time.
Delores reflects that working as a housing officer at that time in Nottingham was very different.
‘There were centres which gave critical advice and support for the Windrush and BME communities, and there was real partnership working in place that supported and empowered the community’.
Delores goes on to say that it was quite an inspirational time when there were projects and schemes that were built by the community for the community and advised that Tuntum’s story is very much a part of that legacy.
When reflecting on her career highlights, Delores said that supporting those fleeing the devastation of the volcanic eruption in Monserrat in the mid to late 90’s still gives her a sense of reward, when she sees those families and their children out and about in Nottingham today. She also reflects on the women’s and mental health support services that Tuntum have set up over the years, many of which continue to provide much needed support across the City to this day.
All in all at Tuntum today we wish to celebrate Delores’ contribution, and recognise that she embodies the spirit of Tuntum’s founding vision: community-led, culturally rooted, and unapologetically bold. Her legacy is woven into the very fabric of Nottingham’s Black history, and we salute her for her dedication and commitment.
Photo: Delores in 1991 when she joined Tuntum and main picture in 2024
