Resident Participation Unit

What you can expect from us

We are committed to involving you in the management of your home. This means we give you opportunities to influence policies and monitor the quality of our services. It also means that we will provide support and training to you, if you need and want it.

Following extensive consultation with residents, staff, Residents Associations and the Blyth Valley Residents Forum we have introduced Service Standards for the Resident Participation Unit.

These service standards are due to be reviewed. If you are interested in putting forward your views on what Resident Participation should be providing and what it should be measured on please contact the Resident Participation Team.

Our objectives as stated in our Service Standards are:

• To ensure that we listen to, act upon and respond to residents views.
• To ensure that we demonstrate our commitment to resident involvement at all times.
• To show residents how they have successfully influenced services.
• To ensure that the resident involvement opportunities provided by us are relevant and responsive to needs.
• To ensure that our residents have the confidence, skills and desire to influence the services we provide.

There are many options available for you to become more involved, such as completing a survey, forming a Residents Association, attending regular informal meetings, joining the resident inspection team, attending focus groups or helping to produce/deliver newsletters.

Getting Involved

Expenses

Blyth Valley Housing Ltd is committed to ensuring that all residents have the opportunity to take part in Focus groups, forums, training and events. With this in mind we now offer the reimbursement of out of pocket expenses for Travel, Childcare and Carers costs. In all cases a form should be completed, signed and returned to the Resident Participation Unit.

Any missing information will result in none payment of expenses. Download a claim form here.

Travel

Travel by car will be paid at 35.8p per mile, this will not increase in a car share situation. The claimant must be the car driver and owner. Alternatively, we will pay you the cost of any bus fares incurred for attending events. We also provide taxis. All bookings must be made by the Resident Participation Unit in advance. Invoices for unauthorized bookings will not be paid.

Childcare

Childcare will be paid at the National Minimum Wage as follows.

The main rate for workers aged 22 and over is currently set at £5.35 an hour.

The development rate for 18-21 year olds is currently set at £4.45 an hour.

Payments will be per hour irrespective of numbers of children being cared for. The carer must be over the age of 18 years and be willing for Blyth Valley Housing Ltd to have contact details.

Carer

Carers will be paid at the National Minimum Wage as follows.

The main rate for workers aged 22 and over is currently set at £5.35 an hour.

The development rate for 18-21 year olds is currently set at £4.45 an hour. 

Payments will be per hour irrespective of numbers of persons being cared for. The carer must be over the age of 18 years and be willing for Blyth Valley Housing Ltd to have contact details.