I hope you enjoyed the warmer weather and longer summer days.  

I’m pleased to share this latest update, which covers the key discussions from our most recent Community Voice meeting here in Stockbridge Village.  

Our group is made up of myself and other tenants who live in the area. We work closely with ForHousing to take action on the things that matter most to us and to signpost issues to the right partners when needed.  

Together, we understand how important it is to listen to tenants — people like me and you — and to learn from each other about the challenges and opportunities in our neighbourhoods.  

We want to make sure our voices are heard and that we have a real say in what happens in our homes and communities.  

Please read on for all the essential updates from our last Community Voice meeting. 

Steph Tomlinson, Chair of Community Voice

We celebrated Volunteers Week with great work at Meadow Park Community Orchard, and more volunteering is being planned at the Craigs Centre. Neighbourhood walkabouts took place  on 16 July, focusing on environmental issues like fencing behind bungalows. Some concerns, like a nearby pathway, fall under the council’s responsibility but have been reported. 

We were also told about the Be Proud Awards returning. The Be Proud Awards celebrate the inspirational people who are making a difference to where you live. To make your nomination click here. 

We got a sneak peek at the new online repairs system that’s being tested. It’s not finished yet, but it’s already looking like a big improvement. You’ll need to have a MyAccount+ account to book your own repairs, but if you prefer, you can still book repairs in any of our usual ways, through the Repairs Reporter or by contacting our Customer Connect Hub. 

There are lots of benefits including: 

• Booking your repair quickly and at your convenience, on a date and time that suits you 
• Being able to switch your repair date or time if anything changes 
• Keep track of any repairs you’ve logged on your account 

The repairs pilot saved over £1,200 in fuel, and it’s now being rolled out across ForHousing. Less travel time means quicker service and happier operatives.  

We looked at satisfaction data, including Tenant Satisfaction Measures (TSMs) and complaints feedback. Satisfaction with complaints tends to be lower, and we’re working with ForHousing to improve how they follow up and communicate. 

We also discussed how different housing providers collect feedback — some only do face-to-face surveys, which can skew results as tenants may not feel comfortable giving their actual opinion in person. 

We recently heard from the Asset Management team about how ForHousing looks at the condition and value of its homes. Instead of using sale prices—which can swing up and down with the housing market and inflation—they base a home’s value on how much rent it’s expected to bring in over 30 years. This method helps keep things fair and consistent, making sure decisions aren’t influenced by unpredictable market changes. Stockbridge Village makes up about 10% of all ForHousing homes, so it plays a big role in this overall approach. 

Safety remains the top priority—especially in high-rise buildings, where recent upgrades have understandably been more important. This has had an impact on funding for other projects, but it reflects a commitment to putting tenant wellbeing first.  

It’s nice to see that decisions are being made with safety, fairness, and long-term sustainability in mind—not as cost-cutting measures or unnecessary spending. 

Play Streets continues to thrive, with more local parents getting involved. It’s especially valuable for children with special educational needs (SEN) — the Stocky Whizz Kids group is a great example. Families feel safe and supported, and we’re working to promote this more widely. 

There’s concern that government funding may reduce in future, and we’re exploring ways to future-proof Play Streets, though nothing is confirmed yet. Activities are advertised on One Knowsley, and efforts are made to ensure fair access. 

We reviewed community funding and during 2024/25, £111,546 was invested in Salford, Fitton Hill and Stockbridge Village through 160 applications.  To find out the difference it makes to local communities, click here.  

Applications that include wages are allowed, and will be reviewed by Community Voice.  We’ve made changes to reporting so it’s clearer when wages are involved and how they help make activities free for the community. 

If you’d like to help shape your community, apply for funding, or just find out more, visit ForHousing’s website www.forhousing.co.uk/getinvolved or speak to your Community Development Officer. 

Thanks again to everyone who came along and shared their thoughts — your voice really does make a difference.