This could be one of the most influential times to become a volunteer in the housing sector, what with a still relatively new regulatory framework, the need to monitor the delivery of WHQS, homelessness, impacts of the welfare reforms and under-occupation. Volunteers are highly appreciated for their work and having the passion to commit themselves to a large number of valuable causes; tenant volunteers are central to the delivery of organisations. Their role is valued highly. Volunteers are people who want to stand up and have a say, to help others on issues that affect our future, by connecting with other organisations and becoming a resource for other tenants by listening and talking about the issues faced within the sector.
One of the aims of Welsh Tenants is making education more readily available to tenants who are volunteering to enable them to keep up with the demands of the ever changing housing sector. It is essential for tenants to be fully informed and to exercise good, constructive and concise scrutiny while providing evidence and feedback. Therefore, it is vital that volunteers receive support and can access background information. Working with us can help achieve this.
Being a volunteer means giving up your time for doing something that you feel passionate about. We provide travel and accommodation if this is necessary for you to carry out your volunteering obligations. One of the benefits of volunteering is working together with like-minded people and receiving support from others. Mentoring and positivity between volunteers creates a good atmosphere. Building long lasting relationships with others who share your enthusiasm and passion with the opportunity to make friends, is a reward in itself.
‘As volunteers, we have achieved so much so far in our efforts to make the social housing sector a better place to be and all our mentor organisations are doing their utmost so we can achieve much more’.
Mike Wiseman (TAP Volunteer)
Being a TAP volunteer
Perhaps more rewarding than your average volunteer role, the Tenants Advisory Panel (TAP) has a major influence in the housing sector as it forms part of the Regulatory Board Wales (RBW) which has a direct link to the housing regulator and minister. A group of volunteers who come together to provide a voice for tenants of housing associations, TAP provides a unique input in enhancing the role of regulation of housing associations. With the completion of projects assigned by RBW, TAP has a distinctive work programme. The group has recently completed a project about communication between landlords and tenants of housing associations and is due to start a new project based on the self-assessment process.
If you want to help shape changes in housing and help deliver better more accountable services, then why not register with us as a volunteer?
I started volunteering on behalf of tenants almost thirty years ago, although at that time there was no such thing as tenant participation, approaches to the landlord were looked on as being a nuisance! However, it did achieve new windows being installed in the houses on the estate which I lived.
The relationship with my local housing association has so far lasted around twelve years during which time I have helped progress participation by being a founder member, secretary or chair of tenant groups and an advisor to new groups on other estates. The Tenants’ Panel has grown both in number and tenant focus over the years. I have been instrumental in ensuring that it is chaired by a tenant and has a tenant as secretary (previously the responsibility of the TPO) whose responsibility it is to produce the minutes, help compile the agenda and book guest speakers. I am also an ex-chair and current secretary and am highly involved in the setting up special groups within the association including the newsletter editing group, time banking group and our Quality Assurance Assessor group, members of which are about to start training.
Becoming a member of TAP last year, I am able to obtain and pass on information which has given me a broad insight as to how diverse the quality of tenant participation is in Wales. It gives me a great deal of satisfaction to know that as a TAP volunteer I am helping housing association tenants across Wales.
Helen Wright (TAP Member), Pembrokeshire Housing Association
Would you like to become a volunteer for TAP?
Are you a housing association tenant/leaseholder and do you:
- have good knowledge, background and interest in the housing sector?
- want to help and support tenants in Wales?
- want to be a volunteer?
For an application pack, please contact Hannah Smith (TAP project coordinator) on 01685 723 922, email hannah@welshtenants.org.uk or visit our website www.tapwales.org.uk