This update brings you all the latest discussions that have taken place in our recent Community Voice meeting. The Community Voice is a group of tenants who represent people in your area.  

We understand the importance of listening and learning from you and keeping you up to date with crucial matters affecting the Salford neighbourhood. We work together to take action and signpost to partners when it’s helpful.  

We want you to have your voice heard and be a part of influencing what happens in your home and in the community. 

Let’s dive into the essential updates from September’s Community Voice as we continue to work together to positively impact your lives.  

Karen Ward Vice Chair of Community Voice 

Tackling anti-social behaviour  

We want you to feel safe in your neighbourhood and the Community Voice meetings are a great place to raise any concerns you might have. ForHousing representatives at the meetings will take these on board and work with partners to take action.  

There have been a lot of reports of anti-social behaviour in Peel Park. These have included issues with the use of motorbikes, illegal drug use and bins being set on fire. The newly renovated football pitch and bike track have both been vandalised, as well as plants being removed from the quiet garden and wooden benches being set on fire.  

The police are working on these issues, but please don’t hesitate to report any community incidents of anti-social behaviour to the police. ForHousing can assist with this if any tenants are unsure about reporting directly.  

The next Knife Crime Action Week is coming up in November with a programme being delivered in local schools called ‘Actions Have Consequences’ to help educate young people about the dangers.  

Any incidents of anti-social behaviour that involve ForHousing tenants or properties can be reported by completing the form on our website here, contacting us directly or calling the police. All reports are kept strictly confidential. 

Working together as a community is the best way for us to reduce anti-social behaviour in our neighbourhoods. 

Keeping homes in good repair  

We discussed improvements in the communications around repairs that have been made after listening to your feedback. ForHousing know they can do better, and we were told that two new roles have been introduced – one to inspect workmanship and another to speak to tenants about the improvements so that there is clear information on the actions being taken around repairs.   

Effective handling of complaints 

We talked about how complaints are made and dealt with. At ForHousing we know we have work to do to improve our complaints process. We want you to share your suggestions, concerns and complaints, so we can improve the services you receive from us. The Complaints team have been invited to come to a Community Voice meeting in the coming months to give an update on the improvements being made thanks to your feedback.  

Feeling safe in your home  

 A new safe homes portal is being built so that you can see when your electric and gas safety certificates will run out and how safe your building is if you live in a block of flats. We will update you as soon as the portal is ready to go live. 

Making a positive contribution to neighbourhoods   

The Employment Service funded by ForHousing has been providing support to people looking for a job, offering training and work experience opportunities. If you know someone who may benefit, please encourage them to get in touch, here.  

It was great to hear how there’s been a lot of demand for ForHousing’s Community Fund, which supports local projects benefiting the community, and how we can now see the money going to good use. You can find out more and apply for funding here.  

To date, ForHousing’s Community Fund has supported 64 projects across Salford, awarding over £30,000 between April – September 2023.  

One such beneficiary of the fund is Brookhouse Food Club – the Eccles-based food pantry that provides groceries at a heavily subsidised rate to members, as well as a space for members to access additional support and advice, free tea and toast as well as a stay and play for younger children. The Community Fund paid for a one-year subscription to Fair Share as well as to purchase additional essential items such as toiletries and feminine hygiene products. 

Listening to your views and acting on them 

We heard how eight tenants expressed interest in becoming members of ForHousing’s Scrutiny Group during two recent drop-in events, and four have now become full members. The Scrutiny Group gives you the opportunity to be the voice of your community and help make positive changes to ForHousing’s services. You can find out more here.  

At ForHousing we want to understand what matters most to you. We really appreciate people giving their time and input to groups like these so we can listen and learn.  

The Community Voice is an important forum, bringing together tenants, partners from the community and ForHousing to make a positive difference. 

We’ll keep sharing future updates with you. Do spread the word about our newsletter with your family and friends, you can see the latest version here.