CIH awards-November 2009. Hafod Housing are nationally recognised
Hafod Housing Association were nationally recognised in the CIH awards on 27 November 2009 under the category of 'Empowering and Involving Communities'.
'Tenants Supporting Tenants' is an initiative to make tenants an integral part of tackling anti-social behaviour (ASB). The aims are to:
• Give tenants trust in the Association tackling ASB
• Provide support to victims of ASB
• Enable tenants to monitor ASB work
• Involve tenants in reviewing ASB policies and procedures
Background
In 2005, working with residents and police in Merthyr Tydfil, we obtained an Anti Social Behaviour Order (ASBO) against a youth causing a nuisance. In 2007 we set up our anti social behaviour team.
Whilst this team was successful in resolving many nuisance cases there was frustration in some areas where residents had not trusted us to deal with similar cases. The team was unable to achieve the co-operation of residents to tackle the nuisance.
We found the solution in 2008 when we invited unsure residents to meet a resident from Merthyr Tydfil. It was clear that the assurances from the resident carried more weight than from our staff.
Residents suffering from ASB:
1. Had more belief in the Association's ability to tackle ASB and co-operated more.
2. Realised they were not alone. Others had experienced the same fears, worries and lack of confidence as they did.
By using the help of the resident we created a mentoring service for residents suffering from ASB.
Setting Up Tenants Supporting Tenants
In 2009 we set up 'Tenants Supporting Tenants' and provided resources for:
• Expenses
• Facilities
• Refreshments
• Staff time
Trust
In some areas residents who experienced neighbour nuisance and witnessed little action from us to tackle it had a natural distrust in our ability to resolve problems. The use of 'mentoring' tenants who have experienced our successes helped develop a new confidence.
Victim Support
Being the victim of anti-social behaviour can be a lonely, depressing feeling. We felt that support from other residents would be valued more than support from our staff. By bringing together victims of anti-social behaviour and using' mentoring' tenants we helped residents feel less isolated. Others like them feel the same, have experienced the same problems and have successfully tackled the problems leading to a better quality of life.
Performance Monitoring
We identified a number of residents who attend 'Tenants Supporting Tenants' meetings to separately review our performance. Involving service users in the review of our performance will lead to meaningful and constructive comments to help us tackle ASB.
Reviewing Policies & Procedures
We are involving those attending the 'Tenants Supporting Tenants' forum in the reviews of our ASB policies & procedures to ensure they are relevant and reflect the needs of our residents.
Success
Following a recent meeting between our resident from Merthyr Tydfil and residents in Cwmbran we were able to successfully tackle an ASB problem. Recently local residents were awarded national recognition by the Home office and National Policing Improvement Agency, one of 12 sites to receive the award and the only one from Wales.
Liz Magness, our Anti Social Behaviuor Coordinator said " Tenants supporting tenants shows that involving residents in tackling Anti Social Behaviour can have so many positive impacts".
If you wish to find out more information about Tenants supporting Tenants, please contact Liz Magness on 029 2067 5800.
