CHP want to provide good-quality and affordable housing services that meet your expectations and needs, so your views are important to them.

You can take part in discussion on a range of housing issues and activities which help form the services we provide. Below is a list of the different ways you can get involved.

If you want to take part in decision-making at CHP, contact the resident involvement team on 01245 613074 or e-mail residentsupportofficer@chelmerhp.org.uk  

Attending the Annual Residents Conference

Attending the conference allows you to have a say on some important issues that affect CHP residents, to meet other residents and CHP staff and to find out more about the work we do and how you can become more involved.

Surveys and Questionnaires 

It helps us to know what you think, and the more people who tell us the more accurate and meaningful the answers. We sometimes send surveys out to all residents and sometimes to people living in a particular area or type of property.

Customer Panel

The customer panel consists of a number of residents whom are willing to be consulted three or four times a year, either by telephone or written questionnaire, on issues that affect residents of CHP. 

There will be opportunities for residents to be involved in the recruitment of key staff. Training will be provided and you will need to attend before you can be involved in interviewing.

Street Voices

You can volunteer to act as the eyes and ears for CHP for a particular area, by keeping us informed of problems and issues in your local neighbourhood that may be causing you and your neighbours a nuisance, such as rubbish dumping, vandalism and abandoned cars. Street Voices may also be contacted to take part in surveys from time to time when we want to get your views on certain topics.

Area Forums

We have six area forums which deal with issues that relate to a local neighbourhood, develop action plans and advise the Central Forum on policies and other matters which may affect all residents. The forums normally meet once a month.

Disability Action Group

The Disability Action Group raises awareness of disability issues with CHP and feeds into the Central Residents Forum and CHP issues of relevance to people who have a disability.

Resident Design Advisory Panel

This group looks at design issues with our development team and makes a significant contribution to how we approach design and build issues.

Editorial Panel

The Editorial Panel meets to discuss and agree the content of the CHP publication Your Home. We are currently working to extend the remit of this group to include other publications and to explore how we can improve communication between CHP and residents.

Click here to read about our Seal of Approval

Focus groups

Focus groups are used for seeking resident’s views on a specific issue and are usually led by staff. They will meet to review and update policies and procedures. Focus groups are a great way to have a real influence on the service to all residents provided by CHP.

Examples of focus groups include:

• Anti-social behaviour
• Domestic Violence
• Repairs
• Service charges

Leaseholder Group

The Leaseholder Group meets every 3 months to discuss issues relating specifically to leaseholders. The Group also represents leaseholders in any decision making processes that have a major impact on service charges, e.g. partnering arrangements with contractors, and they represent leaseholders on the Central Residents Forum.

Older Persons Group

The Older Persons Group works alongside the CRF to build awareness and improve services for older persons throughout CHP.

Residents Associations

Residents associations offer local people the opportunity to meet to discuss issues that relate to a small area, often a specific block, estate or street. Residents associations may be informal gatherings or formally constituted associations that may apply to be formally recognised by the Central Residents Forum.

Service User Groups

Service user groups are run by CHP and are made up of residents who receive services from us. They look at issues that affect us all and topics vary according to the requirements of the service at the time. Recent activity includes looking at repairs, helping to select contractors and analysing complaints.

Shareholding members

All CHP residents are encouraged to become members of the company. This allows you to vote at the Annual General Meeting on representatives of the Board or other issues relating to the company, such as how the company spends its money.

Wednesday Walkabouts

Our Neighbourhood Co-ordinators and other CHP staff carry out regular estate inspections by walking around your neighbourhood. We welcome other residents to be involved. Dates of inspections will be published in ‘Your Home’, on our website, and community notice boards.

Young Persons Group

The Young Persons Involvement Committee work alongside the Central Residents Forum and CHP to make sure younger peoples views are considered.

Mystery shoppers

Mystery Shoppers pose as our customers and ask questions. This is usually done by phoning or visiting our offices. You can then give us valuable feedback on what you have found so that we can make improvements to our service. Training is provided so that you are fully prepared to undertake the mystery shopping.

Tenant Auditors

Tenant auditors work as part of a team inspecting the services we provide. This may involve interviews and workshops and you will receive training before you become a tenant auditor.

Central Residents Forum

The Central Residents Forum consists of representatives elected from the area forums plus a Chairman. The Central Forum meets monthly and is involved in determining and influencing general housing decisions and policies taken by CHP. It also encourages involvement through training and it makes decisions on grant funding.  

Board

The Board comprises five tenants (elected by the tenants), two people nominated by the Council as its representatives and five independent members (recruited through a process of open advertisement and selection).

The Board is ultimately responsible for the overall control of the affairs of the Company, including the monitoring of performance of all its functions and determination of resources to meet its financial and other obligations.

 Minor

 Light

Medium 

Heavy 

Occasional telephone or paper surveys. About ½ hr. at a time.

Usually no more than one meeting or session a month and reading associated papers. Approximately 2 hrs a month. 

Approximately one meeting or session a month with reading of papers, possible training and attendance at other meetings. Approximately 1 day a month.

Significant involvement, attendance at meetings, reading of papers, maybe preparation of reports and attendance at events. Approximately 2-4 days a month.