Ways to get involved
At Spirita, there are a number of ways you can get involved and have your say.
Residents’ groups
Residents’ groups are formed at the local or estate level and address issues that directly concern them. Often the focus will be on general improvements although sometimes it can be more specific – for example, focusing on the needs of young people. Residents’ groups receive support and training from Spirita’s Community Involvement and Neighbourhood Teams. Funding is also available for ‘formal’ residents’ groups. These groups are required to have a constitution and hold a minimum number of meetings per year, including an Annual General Meeting (AGM) and an open meeting.
Residents’ advisory groups
Residents’ advisory groups are put together and led by Spirita. We currently have two groups - one focusing on customer services and the other on repairs and maintenance. They are an important way for residents to make comments and suggestions on key parts of our work and our performance.
Resident forums
Resident forums give residents the chance to get together and discuss an area of our work, but on an informal, fluid basis. Forums do not have constitutions in the same way that formal residents groups do, and so attendance is more flexible. However Spirita staff still help to service and support the group.
Focus groups
Focus groups are small groups of usually 8–10 people who we consult when we want to gain residents’ views on very specific issues. They usually last for about two hours and are run by a member of Spirita staff.
Estate inspections
Estate inspections are carried out quarterly by your neighbourhood officer, caretaker and surveyor. Residents and leaseholders are encouraged to attend to share any concerns, or ideas on how we could improve the estate. Issues identified during an estate inspection are likely to be resolved more quickly, as we may be able to take action immediately.
Communications panel members
Communications panel members check the quality and relevance of our communications materials, such as newsletters, flyers and leaflets.
Want to get involved?
If you would like to find out more about getting involved then give the Community Involvement Team a call on 0115 988 7100 for an informal, no-strings chat.
You can also get involved in Metropolitan Housing Partnership groups and initiatives.
Scrutiny Committees
Scrutiny Committees (which used to be called Local Area Committees) are different from other resident's groups because they monitor and scrutinise Spirita's policy and performance. They work to portfolios (e.g. housing, communities etc) and are supported by a member of the Spirita business management team. There are three Scrutiny Committees, east (Nottingham), west (Derby) and Rushcliffe. Each committee meets quarterly, and there are two meetings a year when all three Scrutiny Committees meet together.
Resident auditors and resident inspectors
Resident auditors and inspectors ‘inspect’ the housing services we provide from a customer’s perspective to see what we do well and what we could do better. Activities include:
- checking that empty properties are up to standard
- asking other residents about their experience of the repairs service
- inspecting an estate to identify potential improvements.
- reviewing the quality of our customer services and communications.
Full and thorough training is provided, with the possibility of formal qualifications in some cases. Spirita residents Flavien and Yvette recently trained as resident inspectors. Read their stories.
Mystery shopping
Mystery shoppers telephone our offices posing as customers and rate the level of customer service they receive. A full day of training is provided and shopping vouchers are offered as a thank you.
Readers’ Panel
The Readers’ Panel checks that our written publications are clear and useful suggesting where changes might be needed.
Want to get involved?
If you would like to find out more about getting involved in MHP groups and initiatives, give Pat Goldfeather a call on 0115 988 7314 or email residentinvolvement@mht.co.uk
Translate
Spirita is a part of Metropolitan Housing Partnership, a unique network of locally focused member organisations working together to provide housing, regeneration, community, care and support services.