21/04/2008   D6/08   Downland

"I'm involved", say Downland Residents

Staff and residents at Downland are celebrating today (Tuesday) after they won national recognition for their approach to resident involvement.

Downland has been awarded national accreditation by the country’s leading tenant participation organisation, Tenant Participatory Advisory Service (TPAS). The accreditation, which has been won by just three other housing associations in the country, proves the organisation has an excellent resident involvement service. TPAS representatives conducted a lengthy inspection of Downland, including interviews with staff and residents, before awarding the kitemark.

To celebrate, the company is holding a TPAS Day, where they will officially hand over the award to staff and residents. Downland staff who came to work this morning found wine and chocolates on their desk as a reward for their hard work.

Among the initiatives which Downland was praised for was an innovative “bus ride” scheme. The scheme sees staff and members of residents’ panels taking a bus journey around the region together to help them decide on grant allocations for improvements The trips allow residents to picture the affect the bid would have on the area and also helps forge links between staff and residents.

Other items which were praised included the Stepping Stones picture guide, which gives residents information on how to get involved, as well as the annual residents’ conference.

Downland Head of Resident Involvement and Community Investment, Richard Tomkinson, said: “We were delighted to gain TPAS accreditation, it means a great deal to us all.

“It is a great reward to all the residents and staff who helped us achieve such high standards. We’ve always been committed to our residents and resident involvement, but it is nice to receive some external recognition for all our hard work – now we want to take it forward even further, and build on what we have achieved. We’re looking forward to working with residents and communities to develop a broad range of new initiatives and opportunities. Being awarded accreditation for excellence in resident involvement ensures that we have a strong foundation on which to build.”

Resident board member Patrick McTernan, 69, from Hurstpierpoint, said he was delighted.

He said: “We were absolutely exultant when we received the news that we had got the award – it’s what we have been working towards. I’m very proud of what we have achieved here at Downland. Residents can feel confident they have a real role in what happens. The more people get involved, the more they find they can get involved in. For example, I have been on the bus rides – it’s inspired me to see if we can get money to widen the paths in my sheltered accommodation to help residents with buggies.

“By helping residents get involved, Downland are giving everyone a better service.”  

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