Track Record and Testimonials

More Talk More Action

Simply Said has helped housing associations set up new involvement structures prior to inspections. This is what we helped achieve:

Supporting People

Simply Said is currently working on an involvement project with a Supporting People Department.

Service Users are keen to have a real input into service change and we are very pleased to help them set up an involvement structure which will facilitate this.

Testimonials

Hyndburn Homes Testimonial

Nigel Fenton, Head of Customer Service, Hyndburn Homes:

Hyndburn Homes employed Richard Wright from Simply Said as a Service Improvement Consultant for a period of approximately seven months from February 2008 to August 2008.

Richard’s primary role was to assist us in reviewing our Resident Involvement arrangements and establishing a framework to ensure that residents were widely consulted and involved in driving our Service Improvements.

Richard approached this role with enthusiasm and dedication. He helped us develop an involvement framework which continues to deliver service improvements and involves many new residents including those from hard to reach groups.

He developed a resident involvement database and considerably widened our Resident Consultation base ensuring that the six strands of diversity were embedded in our services.

Richard also drew on his experience in housing management to introduce a neighbourhood inspection procedure and gave training to our neighbourhood co-ordinators and residents to ensure the procedure was effectively implemented. Another innovative measure he introduced was for Street Reps - local residents- to score services such as grass cutting and window cleaning.

I found Richard to be self motivated, honest and hardworking. He was keen to deliver to agreed deadlines and targets and would lead by example to motivate other members of our team. He brought added value to his initial brief, by his involvement and interaction with residents groups.

We employed Richard initially for a period of 12 weeks, but chose to extend this as he assisted us in our preparations for an Audit Commission Inspection, when again Richard’s input was greatly appreciated and recognised by the Audit Commission

Nigel Fenton Head of Customer Services

---

Chorley Community Housing Testimonial

Richard Bennett, Neighbourhood Services Manager, Chorley Community Housing:

Richard worked for Chorley Community housing for 16 weeks from October 2007 to January 2008 as a resident involvement consultant.

We were preparing for a mock inspection, and asked for Richard’s help in setting up a new involvement structure which would meet all the expectations detailed in relevant KLOEs.

Richard prepared a comprehensive project plan which resulted in the development of a democratic involvement body. I believe this was an innovative set up for resident involvement as I have not come across it before.

Richard set up a number of new service improvement groups, ensuring these operated in a way which guaranteed recommendations became actions. Each group elected representatives to a central panel.

He attended the inspection interview and effectively represented the new service.

We also asked Richard to start a new residents group in an area of recognised deprivation. Using a very personal approach, including knocking on doors to talk about involvement, he recruited residents and worked with them to set up a new residents group, which is still active and going strong.

Richard was a highly committed individual who displayed a genuine interest and passion for resident involvement. I would not hesitate in recommending his services as an involvement consultant particularly in preparation for inspection.

Richard Bennett, Neighbourhood Services Manager