A busy month for resident involvement

It’s been another busy and positive month for resident involvement across Anchor.

We held a face to face Residents’ Council meeting with the Board, giving residents the chance to share their views directly and hear about current priorities and plans (see more below). 

Alongside this, we also held meetings of the Residents’ Property Safety & Quality Group and the Residents’ Complaints Group, where residents continue to play an active role in shaping improvements to services that matter most.

At each Residents’ Complaints Group meeting, members choose a topic to explore in more detail, with a subject matter expert attending to explain how things work and answer questions. At the most recent meeting, the topic was repairs and planned works complaints. It was a very informative and lively session, with lots of questions asked and residents openly sharing their views and experiences.

Looking ahead to May, there will be meetings of the Residents’ Scrutiny Panel and the Residents’ Communications Group. The Scrutiny Panel will continue its in depth reviews of damp, mould and condensation and the location manager role, focusing on what’s working well and where improvements can be made.  The Chief Risk Officer will also attend to provide an update on progress against Anchor’s improvement plan and our work with the Regulator of Social Housing.

Thank you to everyone who has taken part - your involvement really does make a difference.

Residents’ voices heard at the Board

Members of the Residents’ Council recently met with Anchor’s Board to talk about what matters most to residents - what’s working well and what needs to improve.

Residents spoke openly about everyday services, particularly repairs, communication and follow up. The Board listened carefully and confirmed that resident feedback has already helped shape changes to how repairs are managed, with a stronger focus on faster fixes, clearer communication and good quality work.

The discussion also highlighted how important residents’ views are in shaping decisions at every level. Listening to residents helps Anchor improve services, keep people safe and build trust - and it’s something the Regulator of Social Housing expects too.

Residents’ feedback will continue to influence future improvements, with a shared commitment to working together and keeping resident experience at the heart of what we do.

From the Chair of the Residents’ Complaints Group

My name is Linda, and I live in an Anchor extra care location. Recently, I took up the challenge of becoming Chair of the Residents’ Complaints Group - something I’d never done before.

I’ll be honest, I was nervous at first. I’d never chaired a group or been involved in anything like this. But I’m really glad I gave it a try. Even after chairing my first meeting, I found it very positive. I’m learning new things along the way, and the Resident Involvement and Wellbeing Team has been incredibly supportive.

I also attended my first Residents’ Council meeting, which I found absolutely brilliant. Although I was nervous, everyone was welcoming and kind, and the support from other residents - and from the Chief Executive - really helped put me at ease. It was a challenging experience, but in a positive way, and I came away feeling proud to have taken part.

Living in extra care is important to me, and I think it’s vital that involvement opportunities feel accessible to everyone. Not everyone uses the internet, and some residents can feel isolated. At my location, information through the letterbox is often the most important way people stay informed, and even small conversations - like chatting at lunchtime - can make a real difference.

Being part of the Residents’ Complaints Group has helped me feel more connected and listened to, without being overwhelming. You don’t need experience, confidence or technical skills - I certainly didn’t start with those. You learn as you go, and there’s plenty of support.

Whatever type of property you live in, if you want to have your voice heard, the Residents’ Complaints Group - or any of our other involvement groups - would love to welcome you.

Interested?  Please get in touch [email protected]