Join our Residents’ Advisory Panel – Help improve our services!

The Panel are a group of tenants who meet on a monthly basis and are an important part of the on-going management and governance of the organisation. Being a member of the Residents’ Advisory Panel is a real chance to influence how North Wales Housing operates.

They are a friendly and welcoming group who are always looking for new tenants to join them

If you would like more information about the Panel or are interested in becoming a member please email [email protected] or call us on 01492 572727.

Community initiative short-listed for award

A community engagement initiative backed by three local housing associations has been shortlisted for a national ‘Tenant Participation’ Award.

North Wales Housing, Cartrefi Conwy and Clwyd Alyn Housing Association have been working in partnership since May 2013, as part of the ‘Conwy Together’ Project and now their initiative has been shortlisted by TPAS Cymru, the Tenant Participation and Advisor Service in Wales for their annual award ceremony to be held in Cardiff later this month.

The project is part of ‘Conwy BIG Community Voice’ initiative coordinated by Conwy Voluntary Services Council, (CVSC) and funded by Big Lottery Funding.

Under the scheme the three housing associations have worked together providing a wide variety of events and activities to creatively to engage residents with Conwy empowering them to have a great say on services and issues affecting their daily lives.

Iwan Evans, Tenant Participation Co-ordinator at North Wales Housing said:

North Wales Housing is extremely pleased that the project’s been shortlisted. The project has undoubtedly been a success; it has been instrumental in ensuring hard to reach tenants a voice and opinion regarding public body activity and services. North Wales Housing tenants have enjoyed the many activities and found them useful.”

The ‘Conwy Together’ Conwy BIG Community Voice project has been shortlisted in the Tenant Participation Projects category of the TPAS Cymru 2015 Awards which will be announced at the All Nations Centre in Cardiff on June 25.

New Personal Development Grant available to tenants

NWH are pleased to be able to offer a Personal Development Grant of up to £250 for our tenants, designed to tackle financial barriers that may be preventing you from accessing education, training or employment.

Examples of what can be funded include tools or equipment for a job or qualification e.g. hairdressing kit or books for college; course fees or clothes for interviews.

Click here to find out if you’re eligible and how to apply.

Christmas Nominate a Neighbour

North Wales Housing spread a little Christmas cheer and delivered tasty hampers to residents across Conwy and Gwynedd as part of their annual ‘Nominate a Neighbour’ initiative.

The festive campaign marked the start of the Christmas celebrations for North Wales Housing and has become a welcome date in the housing associations calendar.

Residents across Conwy and Gwynedd were invited to ‘Nominate a Neighbour’ who they believe deserves an early Christmas surprise and hamper full of goodies.

Reasons for nominations ranged from residents with issues themselves helping others with day to day activities they would otherwise struggle with, to those who suffered serious illness but were still there for their neighbours. Others showed outstanding support for other community members, helping launch a community initiative or project or have just been a really great neighbour.

The deserving neighbours were paid a surprise visit from North Wales Housing on Tuesday 17th December, when Father Christmas, his reindeer and a team of festive helpers rolled up in their sleigh to present the hampers and some Christmas cheer.

Paul Diggory, Chief Executive of North Wales Housing said:

“This is a brilliant campaign, tenants and staff are always keen to get involved. Every year we’re amazed by some of the nominations we get. Our tenants really do go above and beyond to help their neighbours, it’s great that there’s so much community spirit between our tenants.”

Tenants film project premiered on the big screen

A film produced by North Wales Housing tenants about the history of Conwy Borough Football Club was premiered at their club house on Sunday 19th October 2014.

The premier was part of a fun day organised by the football club. Club General Manager Tony Thomas and Vice Chairman Darren Cartwright thanked NWH tenants and TAPE Community Music and Film, who facilitated the filming before premiering the film to spectators on the big screen.

The film follows the history of the club from its inception in 1977 and its journey through the years to now, and the current development of the new club house. Tenants have been involved during every aspect of the production process from planning and storyboard creation through to filming, interviewing, sound and lighting, editing and production stages.

You can watch the film here:

If you would like to be involved in similar projects in the future contact Iwan Evans on [email protected]

Summer fun extravaganza

North Wales Housing has held its annual Summer Fun Day extravaganza with tenants from across Gwynedd and Conwy joining together to take part in the free community day.

Held at Ysgol Morfa Rhianedd, Ffordd Cwm, Llandudno, guests were able to enjoy a host of activities including face painting, arts and crafts, treasure hunt, play area and garden area. Life size Disney caricatures kept the children entertained whilst live music was performed by local group, the Ghostbuskers.

Free lunch and free transport was arranged to bring residents to and from their homes and the sun shone all afternoon for the guests.

Iwan Evans of North Wales Housing said:

“We’ve had some brilliant feedback from tenants that came along to enjoy the day which is fantastic. This is an important day in the North Wales Housing calendar. Not only is it a really fun day but it gives people the opportunity to chat to people from both within their communities and from other nearby towns.”

Members of the North wales Housing team were also on hand to offer support and advice regarding any aspect of their tenancy. Information from other partner organisations including the Credit Union, Crest, Bus Stop and Conwy Council recycling will also be available on the day.

Summer fun

North Wales Housing has announced details of its annual Summer Fun Day extravaganza!

Widely considered a highlight of the year for the association and often attended by hundreds of tenants, this year’s event will be held on Wednesday 20th August at Ysgol Morfa Rhianedd, Ffordd Cwm, Llandudno.

With the fun kicking off at 11am until 3pm, visitors can expect a whole host of activities and challenges. Already on the bill are a DJ, talent show, face painting, arts and crafts, treasure hunt, play area, garden area and various sports activities, with more to be confirmed.

Everyone attending can enjoy a free lunch and free transport will be arranged to bring residents to and from their homes. All of the association’s tenants across North Wales have been invited to attend.

Iwan Evans of North Wales Housing said:

“This is an important day in the North Wales Housing calendar. Not only is it a really fun day but it gives people the opportunity to chat to people from both within their communities and from other nearby towns.”

“We’ve got loads of activities arranged from the sporty and active to the more sedate and relaxed. We’d encourage all of our tenants to join us on the day!”

Members of the North wales Housing team will also be on hand to offer support and advice regarding any aspect of their tenancy. Information from other partner organisations including the Credit Union, Crest, Bus Stop and Conwy Council recycling will also be available on the day.

 

For more information about the fun day please contact us on 01492 572727 or [email protected]

Conwy Borough FC set for silver screen

A group of North Wales Housing tenants are set to bring Conwy Borough Football Club to the silver screen as part of an exciting new film project.

The group of North Wales Housing tenants are mid-way through the project which is being facilitated by TAPE Community Music and Film. North Wales Housing tenants have been involved during every aspect of the production process from planning and storyboard creation through to filming, interviewing, sound and lighting. As the project develops in the coming weeks, the group will also be involved in the editing and production stages.

With established links between North Wales Housing and Conwy Borough FC, the two organisations have been keen to work together for the benefit of the local community. . The film will follow the history of the club from its inception in 1977 and its journey through the years to now, and the current development of the new club house.

Iwan Evans of North Wales Housing said:

“This is a brilliant project that is gathering momentum every week as the participants become increasingly inspired, engaged and committed to the project. The group have been able to take real ownership of this project and are hands on at every stage – I’m really looking forward to viewing the finished work.”

Panel power for North Wales Housing residents

The recently formed Residents Advisory Panel (formerly Residents Scrutiny Panel) at North Wales Housing is gathering momentum and seeking new members.

The group of residents who currently make up the panel are of varied ages, male and female, each living across North Wales. The panel has already become an important part of the on-going management and governance of the organisation, following its formation some twelve months ago.

Paul Diggory, Chief Executive of North Wales Housing said:

“The Residents Advisory Panel is a brilliant vehicle through which we can ensure the voice of the tenants is heard and in turn, they can give their feedback and opinion regarding our governance and operation. We already have a great team but are keen to hear from other tenants, particularly young people who we believe would bring a vital and different perspective to the panel.”

The panel meets regularly to review performance and discuss any issues and areas for improvement.

Being a member of the Residents’ Advisory Panel offers a real opportunity to influence how North Wales Housing operates. It’s a varied and challenging role that gives residents a direct influence on the way the organisation works. The role will also provide useful experience and skills that are easily transferable to non-housing situations. Full training is given and expenses will be covered for attending meetings and any other relevant events.

Anyone interested in becoming a panel member please contact us on 01492 572727 or by email [email protected]

Residents take on role in scrutiny panel

A new Resident ‘Scrutiny Panel’ is supporting a North Wales housing association with key advice and guidance, contributing to the organisations governance and management.

scrutiny panel

The panel of nine, each of whom live in North Wales Housing’s homes across the region were appointed as panel members some six months ago and following a period of training, have completed their first topic review focused on NWH’s Anti-Social Behaviour procedures and service standards.

The Panel meet regularly with officers and to review performance and discuss any issues and areas for improvement. The Panel was formed with the aim of strengthening lines of communication between North Wales Housing and its tenants to gain vital information, feedback and opinions from those at the heart of the service.

Paul Diggory, Chief Executive of North Wales Housing said:

“As our customers and the main users of our services, who knows better than our tenants about what we need to be doing to improve”

The Panel are presented with information analysing the performance of services, supported by feedback gathered from tenants and other service users across the housing portfolio. In this way, the Residents’ Scrutiny Panel will be able to represent the views of all tenants, not just those on the Panel.

Paul continued:

“The Panel’s recommendations on anti-social behaviour were presented to our Board and after discussion involving some of the the Panel, were all accepted. This will help the role of the Scrutiny Panel gather momentum as we establish a working pattern and open lines up new lines of communication between tenants and ourselves. I believe that this group will play a very important future role within the organisation.”