Informal involvement
Tenant Inspectors
Our Tenant Inspectors are trained to carry out inspections that check the quality of the services we provide against our agreed standards. Their feedback is very important as it helps us to continually improve our services and the standard of our estates. We provide full training for all our Tenant Inspectors.
If you would like to become a Tenant Inspector please contact the Involvement Team on 0191 4268410 or email involvement@southtynesidehomes.org.uk
Reader's Panel
This Panel helps us to check that the ways we communicate with you. It is made up of tenants who have all received training in ‘Plain English’. They read the main written information which is sent to our tenants, such as Housing Matters, other newsletters and information leaflets. The Panel then gives us feedback on whether our communications are clear and easy to understand. We put the ‘Readers Panel Approved’ logo on information that they have approved.
This is an ideal way to become involved without having to leave your home. We can e-mail you or post out to you the text of any document or publication we need you to look at, and you can return your comments to us in the way that suits you.
If you think that you would like to be involved with the Readers’ Panel contact the Communications Team on (0191) 426 8370 or e-mail communications@southtynesidehomes.org.uk
Editorial Panel
This Panel is made up of tenants who meet once every quarter to talk about the contents of our ‘Housing Matters’ newsletter, provide suggestions for articles and give feedback on the final version.
If you have lots of ideas and you're interested in joining the Editorial Panel please contact the Communications Team on 0191 426 8370 or email communications@southtynesidehomes.org.uk
Estate Walkabouts
Estate Walkabouts involve tenants and residents joining our housing office staff on quarterly walkabouts. By helping to inspect your estate you get the chance to improve the services we provide.
They’re a great opportunity to look at your estate and report any issues. They also give you a chance to check problems are being dealt with and standards are being met. By taking part in an Estate Walkabout you can also help to identify ways we can improve our service and the area you live in.
To find out when the next inspection of your estate is taking place download the Estate Walkabouts posters.
Forums
BAME (Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic) Housing Forum
The forum is run independently of us by CREST. It aims to give people from various ethnic minority and faith backgrounds the chance to influence our housing services, policies and procedures and provide feedback on the services they receive. This will help us identify barriers and issues people may face.
Future Meetings:
10 March 2010: 10am
Ocean Road Community Centre, South Shields,
Norman Kaid Suite.
For more information or to register your interest contact Lotyfa Begum on (0191) 456 8566 or e-mail lotyfa@thecrestproject.co.uk Or turn up on the day.
South Tyneside Homes’ Independent Disability Forum by BLISS=Ability
The forums is run independently of us by BLISS=Ability. It is aimed at giving disabled people and their carers the opportunity to influence our housing services, policies and procedures and provide feedback on the services they receive. This will help us identify barriers and issues people may face.
Future Meetings:
31 March 2010: 10am
BLISS=Ability, New Green Street,
South Shields
For more information, to register your interest or request support to attend the meeting contact Leanne Keegan on (0191) 427 1666 or email leanne@blissability.co.uk
E-Involvement
You can now get involved from the comfort of your own home. Our new E-Involvement group means you can tell us what you think by completing surveys and questionnaires on your computer.
If you would like to find out more about this quick and easy way to get involved contact our Involvement Team on 0191 426 8410 or email involvement@southtynesidehomes.org.uk
Questionnaires, Feedback forms and Surveys
We know that all of you are different and the amount of time that you have to get involved varies.
We want everyone to be able to have their say and that is why we have as many ways to do so as possible. Having your say can be as simple as filling in a questionnaire or survey.
Completing feedback forms after a repair
Another simple way for you to let us know your view is by completing the feedback form we give you when we carry out repairs to your home. Tell us what’s good so we can keep doing it and tell us what isn’t good or is missing so we can address it.
Completing feedback forms for comments, compliments and complaints
All of our Local Housing Offices have feedback forms for you to give us your compliments, comments and complaints. Let us know what you think and we will use your feedback to improve what we do.
Receiving information
Read our newsletters
We publish a newsletter called ‘Housing Matters’ every quarter. We use the newsletter to let you know how we are doing and to let you know about important events that might interest you.
We want to involve you in developing the newsletter so that it includes the things that you want to know. Get involved with planning the future content of ‘Housing Matters’ by contacting the Communications Team on (0191) 426 8370 e-mailing communications@southtynesidehomes.org.uk
> Housing Matters Newsletters
Write to us
One of the simplest ways to get involved is to write to us with your suggestions, comments or concerns. We will respond to your letter within three working days. The Useful contacts section contains a list of addresses you can send your letter to.
Telephone us
We are happy to receive your comments by telephone and we will always take what you have to say on board. The ‘Useful contacts’ section has a list of telephone numbers that you can use to contact us.
E-mail us
If you would prefer to email us with your comments and suggestions you can send them to communications@southtynesidehomes.org.uk.
Tenants’ Conference
We deliver a Tenants Conference every year to inform you of service improvements, new and ongoing developments and involve you in a number of informal workshops on specific service areas.
We will tell you about the next Tenant’s Conference well in advance.
Public Meetings
These events will help keep you informed of developments/events happening in your area which may be of interest.
We will tell you about the next public meeting well in advance.
