We're proud to be getting involved in National Involvement Week 2024, shining a spotlight on all forms of tenant involvement, and today (17 October) is Decision Makers Day.
While there's numerous ways customers can be a 'decision maker' and influence what we do - such as our online community My Voice or in our many estate walkabouts - we'd like to share what it's like to be a customer on our Insight Committee. We caught up with member David in this year's environmental, social and governance report, to chat about what he gets up to on the committee. This important committee makes lots of decision and helps us to understand the customers point of view and ensure that our services meet people's needs. To find out more about Insight Committee, click here.
What made you want to join our Insight Committee?
Six years ago I returned from Canada after retiring and bought a shared ownership home with Futures. I wanted to still do something after retiring and give something back to the community, so when I saw the role advertised I thought it looked like one I would get satisfaction from. I was also intrigued. I’d never been a tenant before and I was interested to see how social housing works. I’ve been on the committee for five years now.
Can you describe a typical meeting?
The topics vary, but they’re always very structured and run extremely well. One particular topic that stands out to me was when we looked at the moving in process for customers. We got to go out and visit properties and see how Futures supports people when they’re moving out, or the steps to get a home ready for moving in.
What do you enjoy the most about being on the Committee?
The best thing is finding out how social housing works. I’ve learned an awful lot and I really like learning. The people are always very nice,
everybody is very, very pleasant, and everyone does a good job. I’ve also been surprised at how detailed the data shared with us is and indeed just how much data Futures produces. I quite like looking at it though, it’s interesting to me.
What do you think about the work Futures does around sustainability?
It’s very commendable. Everybody should be doing this sort of thing. I get to hear stuff on the committee and read your magazines about the sustainability work you’re doing too. I can tell Futures is very keen on sustainability and insulating homes. They’re also very keen on reducing damp and mould. We speak about this in our meetings and see the increase in cases that comes through during the winter.
How do you think Futures supports its customers and the community?
I think in general Futures tries its very best to support customers and they do care. In the six years I’ve been a customer and five years I’ve been on the Insight Committee I can see that Futures has improved no end.
Most customers do just want to get on with their lives and don’t always need extra help, but I think Futures really do try. When you look at their website, all the information on there is very good. They also have the online Help Hub and My Voice for customers too and in person there’s the estate walkabouts. I feel quite passionately about those as I think they’re the main way Futures can communicate with customers effectively. I’d like to see Futures do more of them and keep being more and more present in the community.
To find out more information about the campaign running this week, head to tenant engagement experts TPAS' website here.
