Local Area Forum update... Local Area Forum update...Local Area
Forum fun proves plain sailing
W
e had our last round of local area forums in July. During the meetings, residents across all Great Places regions got the chance to meet the staff who work in their area and discuss a number of issues that were important to them, including investment works to their homes and the jubilee events held in their communities. We also invited members of our financial inclusion team to come to meetings and explain how benefit changes are likely to affect residents; in particular, how much people will have to pay when the new bedroom tax kicks in next April. Under changes to the benefit system, residents living in homes where they have bedrooms that are not being
At the Salford forum, one of our residents who is a qualified joiner was directed to our Great Opportunities team to try and help him back in the job market; everyone completed our financial inclusion questionnaire (see page 28) and interest was shown in the community rep role (see page 27) – all very encouraging!
Simply splashing: The Bury forum on Lake Windermere used may be asked to pay a contribution to their rent (see page 14 for more on this). People got the chance to find out more about the changes and how they will be affected, and learn how to be best prepared for the new laws.
Recent successes
The recent Bury forum was aimed at our tenants
in Bury aged over 55, and was combined with a day out to the Lake District. The 29 residents who attended shared their views and heard updates on welfare reform as well as Great Places’ performance, investment works and more. The tenants had a lovely day in Bowness, and the highlight was a boat trip on Lake Windermere.
What’s next?
The next local area forums will be held in October and you will have the chance to tell us what you think of our new service standards, and how you want us to check that we’re doing what we say we will. Why not come along and have your say?
All the dates, times, places and numbers Blackburn
Wed 17 Oct, 6pm-8pm. Venue to be confirmed – please look out for flyers and posters before the event. Call Louise Ramsay on 07767 644352.
Blackpool/Fylde Wed 10 Oct, 12.30pm-2.30pm, Solaris Centre, Promenade, Blackpool. Lunch and transport will be provided. Call Gill Fernandez on 01253 750842.
Preston Tue 16 Oct, 1.30pm-3pm, Community Gateway, Strand Road, Preston. Afternoon tea will be provided.
Bolton/Bury/Salford
Dates to be confirmed – look out for posters. Call Nick Shea on 0161 925 7990.
24 MyGreatPlace
Sheffield
Manchester
Tue 9 Oct, 6.30pm-8.30pm, Gallery Room, Waterside Centre, Sale. Call Sarah Riley on 0161 447 5120.
Oldham
Details to be confirmed - please look out for flyers and posters before the event. Call Naseem Ahmad on 0161 484 3242.
Wed 12 Sep, 6pm-8.30pm, Ponds Forge, meeting room two. Discuss housing services, meet staff and offer views on group-wide initiatives. Call Philip Walker on 07917617330 to book your place or find out more information.
t to be a tenan g in in a tr in d too? I’m intereste the benefits, l e fe I l il w inspector
Yes – we told the job centre our tenant was seeking training, which could help him back to work; and our Great Opportunities team helped him gain new skills