AN Essex mum has been handed a national award after her continuous efforts to help the local community.

Michelle Baker, a 32-year-old from Beazley End, near Braintree, was named ‘Tenant of the Year’ at the Tpas Awards after being nominated by Eastlight Community Homes.

Mrs Baker has her own charity called Wethersfield Community Activities, which helps local groups organise and run activities such as coffee mornings, parent and toddler sessions and family fun days.

The mum-of-two young sons, six-year-old Eli and four-year-old Oscar – who both have disabilities, also speaks regularly at charity events for carers.

She has also taken part in fundraising work for charities including the Royal National Institute of Blind People.

Michelle and son Eli, who is registered blind, recently raised around £1,000 for the charity after both taking part in its Marathon Mates challenge, jointly running the 26.2 miles over the course of a month.

As well as her charitable work, she takes an active involvement in the work of Eastlight.

Eastlight is a community gateway organisation, created through a merger between two Essex housing providers in July 2020, Colne Housing and Greenfields Community Housing.

Tpas is a not-for-profit organisation that champions the importance of landlords and residents working together to improve homes and services.

Its ‘Tenant of the Year’ award celebrates individuals who have managed to make a huge impact on their neighbours and wider communities.

At the virtual awards ceremony on Friday 8 October, Michelle was recognised for all her hard work.

Now chair of Eastlight’s resident-led Customer Influence Committee, she said: “I’m thrilled to have been named ‘Tenant of the Year’ as I realise just how much that title means to the many involved residents doing fantastic work up and down the country.

“To be recognised by the Tpas judges is a huge honour and a real landmark moment for me.

“I’ve been through some big changes during the last few years, and I’ve come to appreciate my local community more than ever before.

“It feels wonderful to make a positive contribution, and to inspire people and watch them go on to make magic.”