We are saddened to share with you that Peter Armstrong passed away this month after a bravely fought battle with cancer. Here we celebrate him as a valued involved tenant and friend to many of our volunteers and staff.

Peter had been volunteering with Riverside for ten years. He volunteered in various roles including the old tenants and resident’s federation. However he was most well-known for his volunteering in Cumbria where he was a regular volunteer in the Tenants Resource Centre in Carlisle. He was a prominent member of the Cumbria Scrutiny panel and he held the position of secretary with distinction for a number of years.
Howard Armstrong , known as H , Riverside Tenant Volunteer says this about Peter:
“I first met Peter back in 2006. I had been recruited as a volunteer by the then Resident Involvement Officer, Dave Miller. I was in the front of a people carrier when I was joined by four others. One of whom was Peter. This was significant and a name I could never forget as my younger brother is also Peter Armstrong.
There was an immediate Rapport with all of us. We were on our way to Liverpool for the first Annual Conference since a reshuffle.
Since that day Peter and I have been volunteers in the Tenants Resource Centre in Carlisle where we “worked” together every Tuesday afternoon. We were also privileged to be members of the Scrutiny Panel at Carlisle where Peter became Secretary. He carried on this role up until his illness was disclosed.
In the earlier years we would travel to Liverpool often for meetings sometimes by road and sometimes by rail. We were robust and outspoken in those days and we were soon christened (in a nice way.) “The Carlisle Mafia”.
The group were Frank Atkinson, John Martin, Peter and myself. Alas the former two good friends Frank and John are no longer with us, Peter has now gone and I am the only one left of the original group.
We were stalwarts of our time within the Riverside family but age and infirmity has crept up on us. Riverside Cumbria (Carlisle Housing Association as it then was.) have looked after us and we always enjoyed each other’s company and the company of Riverside employees both in Carlisle and Liverpool.”
Jamie Hendry, Community engagement officer adds “Peter was an absolute gentlemen. He was held in huge regard by his peers and was a great representative for Riverside and Riverside customers. When I started my job he was a big help to me with his warmth and advice. He had fantastic skills and always spoke with intelligence and sincerity. He had a brilliant sense of humour and an infectious laugh. He will be sorely missed”.
Thank you Peter for your time and your friendship