Ways to get involved

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Our sustainable Communities Team

The Sustainable Communities Team (SCT) consists of a Sustainable Communities Manager, a Resident Involvement Officer, a Community Development Officer, 2 Welfare Benefit Officers and a Sustainable Communities Assistant.

The overall aim of the team is to improve the life chances of our residents and to make sure that residents are at the heart of everything we do.

The Resident Involvement Officer makes sure that there are plenty of opportunities for residents to get involved with Russet at all levels of the organization. (See below)

The Community Development officer has the task of ensuring that communities can work together to ensure that where their area is a place they want to live and are proud of. (Click here to see the Community Development page)

The Welfare Benefit Officers make sure that residents claim the benefits they are entitled to, get any grants etc and also work alongside other agencies on worklessness and financial inclusion.
(Click here to see the work that the Welfare Benefit Officers are involved in)

What is Resident Involvement?
Resident Involvement is key to Russet. Only by having residents involved can we shape our services to meet their needs. Residents can be involved in many different ways, spending as much or as little time as they wish working from either their armchair or by attending meetings.

You can read our Resident Involvement Strategy here Resident Involvement Statement 2011 (3.1 MB)
There is something to suit everyone from the menu of involvement opportunities listed here. Please contact a member of the team for more information on 01732 780999 and we will make sure that your involvement shapes our services.

Board Membership
Scrutiny Panel
Focussed User Service Standards (FUSS) Group
Russet Residents Federation
Consumer Panel
Mystery Shopping
Home Matters Local Editors
Local Residents Associations
Tenant Suggestion Scheme
Training Opportunities
Events and Competitions
Good Neighbour Awards
Funding for Community Projects

The Russet Residents' Federation
Tenant representation on the Board of Management
Supporting local Tenant Associations
Holding locally based meetings for residents
Our quarterly newsletter, Russet News
Regular local newsletters
Consultation on new policies and on important changes to our services
A Consumer Panel, which represents a wide cross section of tenants
Mystery shopping
Conferences and training events
Resident Portfolio Holders
Our Tenant Suggestion Scheme
Funding available for community groups. We help club outings, youth groups, school projects and much more. Download the application form (177 KB) or contact Marilyn Smith 01732 780999 ext 4811

For all queries around sustainable communities, please contact Lee Spring, Sustainable Communities Manager: lee.spring@russethomes.org.

Community Investment Officer, Marilyn Smith, and Resident Involvement Officer, Melanie McAdam, are the first point of contact for anyone who would like to know about their local Tenant Association or Group, contribute to their local newsletter or join the Consumer Panel. You can contact them by e-mailing marilyn.smith@russethomes.org or melanie.mcadam@rusethomes.org.

Last modified 17/01/12