- Your financesGuidance on paying your rent, and other financial advice and support
- Looking after your homeMaintenance, safety checks, adaptations, gardens, advice
- Looking after your neighbourhoodTackling anti-social behaviour and improving public spaces
- Looking after yourselfSupport for those emerging from difficult circumstances
- Thinking of making a change?Transfers, buying, intermediate rent/shared ownership, garages
- Customer profilingThe more we know, the more we can offer
- Resident involvementJoin us in making decisions that affect your home and community
A week in the life of a Tenant Director
Friday 10am: Meeting of the Tenant Board Members. There are four of us, and we meet with Robin King every couple of months to hear all about the latest news and developments about our housing.
Lots of opportunities for us all (all residents) to have a say in how Worthing Homes is run and even how our rents are spent!
We are holding our breath as to how the election goes, not so much as to who wins but thinking about cuts / ‘the difficult times ahead’, which may well affect people on benefits and any new plans for properties. We have a new development in Felpham about to start – maybe just in time.
Picked up my board notes, always plan to read them over the weekend… but don’t… look at them Monday afternoon.
Monday: Right, the notes – normally takes me 2-3 hours a quick skim (with highlighter) / a more thorough read (make notes) often ‘what does that mean’ or ‘lets stick up for tenants point of view’, finally I email a few questions off to Robin or a senior manager to discuss any specific issues.
Tuesday: Busy doing my other work as a teaching assistant. Check my emails on my laptop (which Worthing Homes provided when I became a board member – makes it easier to do my work). There’s some additional information about the board meeting on Thursday and I have a meeting with Robin tomorrow.
Wednesday: Meet with Robin Roberts to see some of our properties, an update ‘tour’. Highlight for me seeing the new properties on Wordsworth Road, they are very nearly finished. They are very nice, great bathrooms and kitchens, one and two bedroom flats – I remember when there where hostels on this site – I feel quite proud to be associated with these. I hope the new Tenants will be happy here.
Quick meeting with Robin King, a few comments on finance – it is always best to ask, I am not the only one with questions evidently!
Thursday: Board Meeting day. School and other things first, so only think of Worthing Homes from 4pm, meeting starts at 5pm, lots of talk about our new developments, exciting, lots of new properties, some challenges, lots of investment… Most important it all adds up, just. The plans look good. As ever some mention of antisocial behaviour and who is to blame – I wish it was easier to solve as it is to talk about – maybe we are all to blame.
So my busy week as a board member mostly good, always interesting, sometimes aggravating, and I think I have made a difference this week if only for sharing my experiences.
I hope to add to this occasional ‘blog’ now and again. Do share your thoughts with me by email or on 07545930213, I will call you back. All the best, Mark Richardson.
