News and Views Summer 2013:Layout 1 12/06/2013 16:33 Page 7
01442 228000 tenantinvolvement@dacorum.gov.uk
Involving you | 07
We found the keys We’ve had a great response to our ‘You are the key’ campaign to get as many of you as possible having your say about what goes on in housing. We invited people to a speed dating style session at the Old Town Hall to meet the tenant involvement team and tenants like Debbie Barnes (see page 6) and Barry Newton (pictured centre) who are already on board and having their say. There was lots of interest in the new Tenant Scrutiny Panel which we’re hoping to confirm by the beginning of
June and then begin training soon after. But there was also interest in joining the TLC and the Housing Maintenance and Environment Committee, as well as getting involved in the local community. The TLC’s Chair Rose Kosmalski invited a few people to attend their next meeting and see what it’s all about. Tenant Alan
Chalkey gives us his impressions below, while his daughter Rebecca tells us why we need more young people to get involved. If you’re interested, there are still plenty of opportunities. Call 01442 228000 and ask for tenant involvement or visit www.dacorum.gov.uk/key
Like father…
…like daughter!
by Alan Chalkley
by Rebecca Chalkley
My daughter has been getting involved with the Dacorum Youth Forum for a couple of months now and has been bubbling with enthusiasm; she seemed to be getting such a buzz out of it that when I heard about the “meet and greet” evening I thought I should have a look.
Hello! My name is Rebecca, I am 14 years old and I am a member of the Dacorum Youth Forum (DYF). Through the Council I have been able to participate in many events beneficial to me now and later in life. This includes visits to community lodgings with the Youth Action Entertainers.
The evening was much less formal than I had expected, the ladies of the involvement team were very friendly and evidently fully committed to the idea that tenant involvement is a good thing all round. There was a lot of information, with each team member explaining their role and answering questions (I confess half it went in one ear and out the other).
As active members of our community the DYF helps to improve quality of life for residents of Dacorum, not just our age, but of all ages.
For me the thing that really shone through was the enthusiasm both of the staff and the existing volunteers, a glowing desire to create a sense of community. Oh, the buffet was pretty good too!
Because currently we are not very well known for the events we run and the good things we do, I set up a display board in my school canteen depicting with images the ways people can contribute to their neighbourhood.
Since then I have attended, as an observer, a meeting of the TLC – a mix of Councillors, council officers and residents. I found, to my surprise, that the residents’ opinions were actively sought and seriously considered and that when questions were asked the answers were honest and informative – not like politicians at all.
The experience of being an active member in the community is wholly beneficial. Opportunities arise in the form of courses and day trips: opportunities that could potentially help us in adulthood when applying for careers or universities.
I have decided to apply to sit on the TLC, although I don’t know how much of a contribution I can make I’m convinced I’d rather be a part of it than stay on the outside complaining when DBC makes decisions with which I disagree.
If your children have something to say about your homes and communities, give Stephanie Bailey in the tenant involvement team a call on 01442 228000.