Ways to participate

Resident involvement is about us providing opportunities for you to have your say, influence our services and affect decisions about your homes and neighbourhoods. In short, it helps to keep us on our toes and makes us more accountable to you!

It’s not just about influencing services though; involvement also provides personal development opportunities and helps to create safer, friendlier and more sustainable neighbourhoods, where people are happy to live.

Who can get involved?

Any Saxon Weald tenants, leaseholders or shared owners (including people who live with them permanently e.g. partners, family and carers).

How much time will I have to give?

It’s up to you. We will invite and help you to participate in the activities you have shown an interest in, but you don’t have to accept all invitations. You can contribute with as much or as little time as you choose to give.

What will I have to do?

You can choose how you want to be involved. You don’t need to attend meetings if you don’t want to, as there are many other ways you can help, which are listed below. All you need to do is contribute with your time.

What’s in it for me?

This really depends on the type and levels of involvement you choose, but it generally provides opportunities for you to:

Gain a better understanding of how Saxon Weald works

Contribute to how Saxon Weald is run
Influence housing conditions and standards of service

Improve neighbourhoods and general quality of life

Develop skills that you never knew you had; improving your housing knowledge, and awareness and building your confidence as you go

Build relationships with staff, Board Members and other residents

What’s in it for Saxon Weald?

The best businesses are those that constantly seek, listen and respond to the views and aspirations of their customers.

Resident involvement helps us to keep our finger on the pulse, so that we are aware of how our residents feel and what they expect from us. We then use this information to tailor our services to meet their aspirations, wherever practical. Basically, resident involvement helps us to meet three of our five corporate objectives, which are to: Provide an excellent service; be a high performer and a trusted partner in business and neighbourhoods.

How can I get involved?

There are many ways for you to be involved in what Saxon Weald does or in what happens in your neighbourhood. These include:

Residents' Action Panel

Our Residents’ Action Panel (RAP) addresses and discusses issues and decisions that affect or involve residents.
The RAP meets approximately every two months, and has a direct link to our Board of Management, through the meeting minutes and our Tenant Board Members.
The RAP is made up of tenants, some of whom are members of our service interest groups. For more information, contact Sue Tew on 01403 226137.

Join one of our Service Interest Groups

We run a number of interest groups, relating to various aspects of our work, which enable residents to be involved in matters that are of a specific interest to them. The interest groups then help to influence the direction and standard of those service areas.

Our Leaseholders’ Forum

This group is specifically for leaseholders. They give us feedback and contribute to our work from a leaseholder perspective.
Find out more>>

Become a Board Member

This is probably the most time consuming and onerous form of involvement. It enables residents to contribute to the overall governance of the company (places limited to 4 members – subject to availability)

Participate in surveys or market research

These may be face to face, by post or by telephone. Surveys provide an ideal opportunity for you to tell us how you feel about your home, neighbourhood and the services we provide, from the comfort of your home.

Join our Service Testing Team

Our service testers are trained by us to use, test and challenge our services. This could be via the telephone, written correspondence or a visit to our offices or schemes. They then report their experiences and findings to us, making us aware of any weaknesses in service, so that we can address them. Our service testers are only known to the two members of staff who manage the programme. To find out more, contact Jim Dean, Head of Service Improvement on 01403 226141 or email jim.dean@saxonweald.com

Take part in a focus group

These groups are set up from time to time to focus on a specific issue, project or area of work. They are an ideal way of getting involved if you only want to get involved in something of direct interest to you.

Set up or join a social club or interest group

Social clubs are very popular in our retirement housing schemes, they help to arrange social events for the people who live there. Interest groups are set up to organise activities or represent people with common interests.

Help us to set up a “Talkabout” session in your neighbourhood

When requested by residents, our staff will organise a venue and come along to discuss local issues or initiatives that matter to residents. This is done in an informal setting, with residents taking the lead on discussions and Saxon Weald following up on any action that may be necessary.

Take part in estate inspections

These give you an opportunity to walk around the neighbourhood with your Area Manager, when they are carrying out their planned estate inspections. It is a great chance to bring to their attention any concerns you have about your neighbourhood and share your views and ideas for improving things with them.

Become an Estate Mate

Helping us to maintain awareness of what happens where you live. Estate Mates take part in estate inspections, help to monitor estate services and provide Housing Managers with regular feedback on things like abandoned vehicles, graffiti and anti-social behaviour.

Take part in our “Neighbourhood Improvements Scheme”

Suggest an idea that could help to improve your neighbourhood and we’ll work with you and other residents to try and make it happen!

Suggest new ways for residents to be involved in our work

Write, phone, e-mail or fax us. We’re always open to views, feedback and new ideas!

I’ve never done anything like this before - What help and support is available?

We believe that everyone’s got something to contribute; whether it’s local knowledge, professional or other skills, or simply the experience you have of being one of our residents, it can all be helpful!

It doesn’t matter if you haven’t been involved in anything like this before, as we will provide the advice, training and support you may need to get involved in any of the options identified. We will also pay travel and carers’ costs (e.g. childcare) where appropriate, as well as for you to attend external events (e.g. conferences and seminars) associated with your involvement.

I’m interested - How do I register?

All you need to do is contact us and we will send you a registration form. Once you have registered, we will add your details to our database of interested residents and contact you when an opportunity arises which suits the involvement activity you have shown interest in.

Further information

If you would like to register or would like further information, please contact Sue Tew, Resident Involvement Adviser on:

Tel: 01403 226137
Email: sue.tew@saxonweald.com

We look forward to hearing from you!

Saxon Waeld tenants