About Step Forward

Menu of Options

In every aspect of Step Forward, your opinions and your insight directly feeds into our services for you. You are of course the best people to tell us if we are providing a good or poor service and how we can improve.

Getting involved doesn’t necessarily mean that you will have to go out of your way either as we have many ways in which you can make your opinion count in a way that suits you. Involvement can span from armchair participation to becoming a member of a regional residents panel. Our ‘Menu of Options’ details all the ways in which you can Step Forward.

REGIONAL COMMITTEES

We have set up regional committees for each of the three regions- north, central and south. The Regional Committees are chaired by our board members.

The committees are made up of a maximum of:

• Five residents
• Three independent members
• A chair appointed by the board

The people who sit on the committee will work with the board and regional residents’ panels to set the objectives and shape the work in their region. Some of the key decisions about how homes are managed and how we improve and maintain homes are made by the regional committee in agreement with the board.

REGIONAL RESIDENTS' PANEL

WSH have 3 regional resident panels covering the North, Central & South areas. The Regional Housing Director, Regional Managers and property services staff attend all meetings. Other employees attend as necessary. The panel aims to work constructively with the regional committee to:

• Research and represent residents’ views in relations to services they receive
• Contribute to reviews of regional service standards and performance
• Promote the involvement of residents
• Enable residents’ representatives to meet together and provide opportunities for training.

ESTATE MANGEMENT COMMITTEES

This is a committee where residents and WSH local Area Housing team meet together to specifically monitor estate services.

The meetings are held regularly and on the estate.

LOCAL RESIDENTS' GROUPS

Resident groups offer a wide range of activities and all differ from estate to estate.  By contacting your local Area Housing Team they will be able to inform you of what is available, the team will also be able to help you set up a group if none is operational. WSH offer many initiatives for residents and we welcome interest from residents from all sections of the community.

AREA FORUMS

If there is no established recognised residents association or community group in your area the local area housing team will organise and attend regular meetings with local residents and local agencies to discuss local issues.

INVOLVING YOUNG PEOPLE

WSH will support initiatives and activities for young people. Your area housing team can provide you with information about what is happening in your area.

REGIONAL RESIDENTS CONFERENCES

These conferences are held once per year and bring residents and staff together from across the region. The conference gives you time to explore new ways of working, lets you engage with other residents and staff and gives an overview of WSH developments.

ARMCHAIR PARTICIPATION

This allows you to comment on our policies and our services and complete surveys from the comfort of your own home, at a time to suit you. We send all the information by post, by email or contact you by telephone. All we ask is for your time to complete and return the survey or give comments and feedback.

ESTATE WALKABOUTS

Residents can carry out regular estate walkabouts with local area housing staff and local agencies to monitor services and discuss local issues.

MYSTERY SHOPPER

We have a mystery shopper project which trains residents to mystery shop our services. This can be anything from ringing to report a repair to visiting estate offices and customers services. You then provide feedback to WSH. Travel expenses are paid and free training is provided.

RESIDENT INSPECTORS

We are looking for residents to work within their local area to carry out inspections of our void properties, estates and areas to ensure that estate services are being delivered properly. Training will be provided.

WEBSITE ADVISORY GROUP

As the WSH website is continually developing it is helpful to get your feedback, this group meets periodically to review our website.

EDITORIAL PANEL

You can become a member of our editorial panel to review residents’ newsletters and leaflets including Sutton News.

FOCUS GROUPS

From time to time we review a specific aspect of our service. We try to get a representative group of residents together to seek their opinion.  These are usually one off events; again travel expenses will be paid.

“Becoming involved is your chance to have a say. You can make a difference and it's worth doing. After all you have nothing to lose and a lot to gain!”

Joan Dorrington, Borehamwood.

Your area housing teams are now the first point of call for all resident involvement or community activities. To find out who and how to contact about Step Forward CLICK HERE to go to our 'Contacts' section.