1. You’re never too old!

2.  Newydd’s Community Partnership Officer  Worked for Newydd for 17 years – yikes!  Previously a Housing Officer & Lettings Officer  Newydd’s Community Partnership Team won the national TPAS award for tenant participation this year!

3. To give an overview of :  SASH (Supporting All Sheltered Housing) – one of Newydd’s tenant groups  Newydd’s involvement in the Visibly Better Project – a partnership project where tenants were trained to become Scheme Assessors with a view to making life easier for tenants with visual impairments in sheltered housing

4.  SASH was originally formed in 2009 following Newydd’s restructure of tenant involvement  The group meets quarterly on rotation at each of our 5 sheltered schemes  Tenants have an input into what they want on their agenda & meetings are fun and informal

5.  Tenants are consulted on and advised of issues that might affect them – raises awareness and empowers through knowledge  Tenants were involved in a major review of Newydd’s sheltered housing last year - directly influence the service they receive  Tenants now have an extended social network as tenants representatives attend from all schemes – helps tackle social isolation

6.  Staff provide service updates & advise of upcoming social events – two way communication enhances relationship between landlord & tenant  Guest speakers are invited along to raise awareness e.g. RNIB, RNID, Fire Brigade, Barry Lions, VCVS, Age Concern etc. – partnership working opportunities increased

7.  This year, in partnership with TPAS, outcome based action plans and defined remits were developed for all Newydd’s tenant groups

8.  To advise Newydd about ways to shape and improve services; monitor performance; provide social interaction and information and to raise awareness and understanding about issues related to sheltered housing

9.  Better value for money from services  Tenants have a better quality of life & feel safe  People know how to access information, services & support  Tenants’ views inform service improvement  Reduced social isolation  Tenants learn new skills  Tenants are more independent with more self esteem & confidence

10.  Continue to involve tenants in the procurement of services, reviews, policy & standard setting  Develop new links with partners & agencies  Improve individual tenant service plans  Continue tenant profiling – know our customers  Improve 2 way communication  Arrange social activities & events  Offer training to develop new skills

11. Cath – SASH member & Tenant Scheme Assessor

12. 'Volunteering is very rewarding and can be challenging, it also offers opportunities for self improvement.' John Phillips (70 years young) (Chair of the Community Panel, Tenant Scheme Assessor, member of NEADS (Newydd’s Equality & Diversity Subgroup), the ASB sub group, the ASB Tenant Support Group, maintenance sub group & tenant powered performance group!)

13.  Newydd worked in partnership with:  Visually impaired tenants were trained to become Scheme Assessors  The project was funded by a Tenant Empowerment Grant

14.  To develop tenant skills and knowledge to enable them to carry out, analyse and feed back results of their assessments to their landlords & contribute to the continuous improvement of a range of housing services  To evidence that tenant participation is directly producing outcomes (making a difference) in service delivery in line key requirements of the National Tenant Participation Strategy (NTPS)

15.  Our Tenant Scheme Assessors (TSAs) have already undertaken two annual audits of all 5 sheltered housing schemes  The TSAs have met with maintenance staff to discuss their recommendations which are factored into future planned programmes  Some of the TSAs have even undertaken small scale recommended improvements in one scheme & painted around light switches and sockets to make them more visible

16.  Joint scheme audits were undertaken with RNIB staff & Newydd staff

18. Any questions?