Results of the board survey

In August we asked tenants in our email newsletter their views on the Board and whether they’d be interested in joining.
 
Out of 351 emails sent, 17 people responded to the survey, which is a response rate of 4.8%.
 
Would you be interested in joining the Board?
 
Yes        4
No         10
 
If not, what puts you off joining?

• When asked what puts them off joining the main reason given is that they are too busy, have health issues or are found the process of applying overwhelming.
• I am very busy at work at this moment and don’t believe I can give the time required.
• I wouldn't be able to meet the Commitment at this time
• Health issues
• I have mental health issues and need to concentrate on my mental health
• I was a board member but don't have the time now
• Tried before - presented with incredibly daunting application documents that basically seemed to suggest that only saints and gods need apply - and when I asked for some guidance I received nothing in return.
• Work commitments
• Work NHS and kept very busy in my job. Unfortunately do not have a lot of spare time to offer

What kind of information and updates do you think tenants should hear from our Board?
 

• A wide range of responses was received for this question. A lot of answers related to planned maintenance and when work will be carried out to homes.
• Where the money is being spent. What upgrades are being done and what ones will be done in future. What have the board decided to do about COVID and how does it trickle down to the tenner. How prepared are the board for another lockdown.
• Information that is relevant to the stake holders needs
• Social activities, support groups and advice for budgeting.  Support for hoarding and keeping up with daily household tasks- housekeeping, Bill's, shopping, personal hygiene, mental health hygiene
• House upgrades, rent increases
• Housing stock upgrades
• Any refurbishment, ongoing repairs, antisocial behaviour, rent increases. I feel very strongly about antisocial behaviour and communal areas in flats being kept clean
• litter strewn and fly tipping also.
• Anything that you think the Tenant's should know and want to hear about
• What is happening as far as modernisation is concerned ie new kitchens etc
• New housing
• Rent increase, Information on work to be done to homes and other initiatives tips and ideas to help tenants
• For example good tips for gardening
• We should be alerted to any home improvement in our area and given more time than we should

 
What ideas do you have for how the Board should listen to tenants views?
 

• A lot of good ideas given my tenants on how the Board should listen to their views including surveys and questionnaires.
• Maybe surveys sent to their homes. Obviously online surveys. Tenants should be able to call a special line which they can leave their views
• Questionnaires might be helpful and with an open mind and keen interest for tenants to give their own ideas/opinions to solve issues on things
• Add questionnaires like this to all newsletters
• I think ancho do well with providing many platforms for tenants to express their views
• Physical meetings or online
• Well if they need any questions asked and answered
• Make sure that tenants are kept informed but that is mostly done already.
• Any views expressed by E Mail or otherwise should be discussed under other business at board meetings
• Tenants have a lot of ideas. Perhaps pictures of homes and how the achieved a certain look

 
Conclusion
 
A huge thanks goes to tenants for taking the time to give us their thoughts on this topic. We are going to follow up with tenants who expressed an interest in joining the Board.
 
The Board are also going to take some time to reflect on what tenants have told them in this survey and how best they can incorporate these views into the work they do. We will report back soon on their thoughts.