Our Resident Engagement work in Winter 2022/23

We recently sent out a newsletter from our Community Development Team with our rent statements. The update below outlines all of the great work they've been doing, if you'd like a digital PDF copy just email communications@originhousing.org.uk 

Winter Festive Event - Basil Jellicoe Hall, Camden
On Saturday, 26 November 54 people attended our winter event with visit from Santa being the main attraction for the children. Residents were able to speak to our Director of Resident Services and staff from the Neighbourhood Management Team, Asset Management, Property Maintenance, Gilmartins, Income and Community Development. We also had two residents from our Resident panel, Spotlight, as well as our local partner, the Somers Town Community Association who had a wealth of information about local initiatives tackling cost of living, climate change and much more. The feedback from residents who attended was very positive with 100% satisfaction with the event. We are planning to continue our in-person engagement events in 2023 in London and Herefordshire and will keep you informed about the dates.
 
Spotlight visit to our office during National Customer Services Week
Our Customer Experience Team ran activities throughout this year’s National Customer Services Week from 3-7 October. On Tuesday 4 October with the theme on Service with Respect, four of our involved residents from our Spotlight panel joined us for a morning of call listening in the contact centre. In the afternoon, they joined a round table discussion about what service with respect means and how we work together to build on a culture of mutual respect. The round table discussion was attended by 70 colleagues both in person and virtually. The residents and staff found the session very useful and it is a positive progress to building trusted relationship.
 
Employment And Training Support
Book now for Free face-to-face or online employability and training sessions
Our support includes accessing support with CV writing, Finding and applying for jobs, Learning
interviewing skills and techniques. Finding training courses, Sourcing Apprenticeship
opportunities, Access to a bursary award of up to £250 and Access to digital equipment.
 
Neighbourhood Explorers
Our Neighborhood Explorers takes place quarterly and involves our colleagues volunteering to visit our estates, meet residents and ask for your feedback on how we are doing as a landlord. On 19 October, we visited Rosebery Square West, Bideford Mansion, Barnstaple Mansion and Dulverton Mansions Camden and spoke with 37 households to find out what we were doing well and where we could improve. Any concerns raised by residents are managed by our teams across the business to investigate and resolve. Our next Neighbourhood Explorers is taking place in February. We’ll be sending more details about the estates we’ll be visiting in 2023 soon.
 
Community Investment
 
Community Fund Update
Since April 2022, we have awarded 14 community funds, nine of which were resident led/supported. Projects funded includes the Queens’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations at sheltered schemes, Gardening, Stay & Play sessions, Bereavement service, Jazz/Cultural Musician project and Somers Town History family activities. You can still apply for our Community Fund, for any projects that bring together your neighbours and benefit your community. Our fast-track fund for residents means
that our residents applications for £500 or under will receive a decision within one calendar month. The Community Development team can also support you with your ideas and application if you require it. Visit the community section of our website or contact us to apply.
 
We Are Ageing Better Together Christmas Party
WAAB came together for a Cream Tea Christmas special event on 8 December. 35 people attended and enjoyed live music, dancing, laughter and refreshments. Cream tea is a volunteer led activity held on the First Thursday of every month, all Origin residents are welcome to attend.
 
Origin in partnership with DCS are delivering
FREE accredited online courses                                                                                 
 
To find out more about any of the above programmes or to get involved email
community.development@originhousing.org.uk or call 0300 323 032
and ask to speak with a member of the Community Development Team.