CASE STUDY 1: Great tenant ideas on tap
Designed to give tenants as many ways as possible to air their views, and help ASRA improve its services, anyone can join TAP by completing a simple application form, available on request. The great thing is that you can decide how much or how little you want to be involved.
“Many of ASRA’s properties are in north London, and their headquarters are in central London, so it can sometimes feel a little isolated in south west London where I’ve lived since 1994. So for me, joining TAP has been a very positive experience. It makes it easier for residents to get their views across, and things are definitely improving as a result. ASRA is listening to its customers, and including them more than ever. I hope other tenants will join, because I’m very pleased to be a part of it.”
TAP member
“I’ve been an ASRA tenant for 12 years, and was looking for more active involvement in determining ASRA’s housing policy. I speak a number of languages, including Urdu and Punjabi, and felt I could therefore represent tenants who are not necessarily fluent in English. I enjoy being able to put forward ideas, and seeing those ideas put into action. ASRA is very open to tenant views, and I believe I’m really making a difference.”
TAP member
CASE STUDY 2: Let’s walkabout it
Shafiul Khan from Southall is making his mark as one of ASRA’s Local Community Inspectors.
He works closely with other residents to identify and address problems in his local neighborhood.
“Every few weeks I walk round my local area noting any problems or damage to buildings and communal areas. I’m always on the look out for broken railings, graffiti or vandalised play areas. It’s my job to let our local housing officer know. The problem is then quickly reported to ASRA’s repairs team who come along and put things right.
“If there wasn’t an inspector in my area, many problems would simply go unreported. The job is really important and very rewarding as you feel you’re making a contribution to the local community, and helping to make it a better place to live.”
Interested in becoming a Local Community Inspector? If so, we’d like to hear from you. Call Lily Tripathi now on 020 7940 6612.
CASE STUDY 3: Can you fix it?
If you can’t change a plug, put up a curtain rail or install a washing machine, you’re not alone. If DIY fills you with dread, help is at hand.
ASRA introduced a free three day workshop for residents who learnt first hand from the experts the best way to tackle even the most basic repairs.
Residents picked up a variety of DIY skills and techniques including:
- turning off water in an emergency
- unblocking a sink, hand basin, toilet and baths
- removing and replacing a toilet seat
- plumbing in a washing machine
- replacing a plug, fuse and light bulb
- fitting a curtain rail
- replacing a cupboard catch, handle and hinge
CASE STUDY 4: Into focus
We’ve recently held a series of focus groups with places made available for ASRA tenants. The sessions gave everyone attending chance to comment on our services and help make things even better.
The focus groups covered:
· Our repairs and maintenance services
· Neighbourhood and people problems
· Communicating with ASRA and housing officers
Everyone who attended was given £25 for their time and effort.
CASE STUDY 5: Never too old
Elderly residents living at one of our sheltered housing schemes joined hundreds of protestors outside the Houses of Parliament in April 2007 attending a mass lobby for age equality.
The 12 residents travelled from the housing scheme in Wood Green to support the Just Equal Treatment campaign organised by Help the Aged.
Along with scheme manager Varinder Kaur and former chairman of ASRA’s tenant’s association, Atique Khan, the group attended the protest launch at Central Hall in Westminster. They then met local MPs to voice concerns over age discrimination and to push for equal treatment for older people.
According to Help the Aged, legislation on age discrimination which came into force in October 2006 only covers the work place and training, leaving older people vulnerable to discrimination everywhere else – from the hospital to the high street.