Involvement - a residents view

 

I am not a number, I will not be pushed, shoved, filed, briefed or debriefed; I am a person.

However, without tenants or leaseholders voicing their ideas and experiences they can be locked into their homes like a prisoner. If we do not give our input on how our communities are regenerated, how leaflets are worded, how green issues are tackled, how contractors are chosen or how services are dealt with or if services are not of a high enough standard, how can we affect where and how we live.

Resident Involvement Teams need active involvement to cast residents viewpoints on issues that affect us all on a single property level through to whole communities and on a national level.

So why volunteer? You can choose what areas you want to get involved in, how much time you wish to spend on each subject and whether you wish to attend meetings or provide feedback via post or online – the choices are endless.

All expenses will be paid including travel, food and accommodation (if required).

How have I benefitted by being involved? I have had the opportunity to

travel around the country

undertake certified training

met new people

increased my social skills

increased my self worth and confidence

Knowing that my voice can and DOES make a difference

And attending conferences give you a chance to enter competitions from external companies to win everything from smoothie makers to Sony laptops and even to see Stacey Solomon perform on stage!

Without our input, decisions are taken and without our voice you can’t decide on important issues such as the style and colours of kitchens.

We need to give information, information information – We need to work together to help Affinity Sutton invest in residents as well as housing.

Phil McAllister - Resident