We’re delighted to introduce our new Residents Voice Panel, which will play a key role in making sure our residents’ perspectives are at the heart of our decision making and planning.

The nine residents on the panel represent residents from all the different types of homes we provide – from general rented to independent living, shared owners, leaseholders and intermediate rent.

Making a difference

We caught up with a couple of the new panel members to hear why they got involved.

Charlie has been a tenant since 2002 and, as well as being a busy single mum of two young adults, she runs a community interest company.

“This is also why I’ve stepped forward to be in the RVP – to try to make a difference. I’ve always been a keen supporter in our community projects and believe that listening is a powerful skill,” she told us.

Phill shares the same motivation: “I got involved with the RVP at Town & Country Housing because I genuinely believe that those who use services should help shape them,” he explained.

“As a resident myself, I’ve seen the difference that clear communication, real listening, and meaningful involvement can make, even to this point and I want to be part of making that happen on a wider scale.

“By joining the panel, I hope to ensure that the voices of as many residents as possible are not only heard but acted upon. It’s about more than just feedback; it’s about helping to build trust, drive improvements, and make our homes and communities better for everyone.”

Training and first steps

Members are taking part in training to learn more about the roles and responsibilities of resident panels, as well as covering topics such as consumer regulation and how to hold landlords to account.

They’ve already held two initial meetings where they’ve reviewed our draft Value for Money Strategy 2025-2028; worked with the Social Value and Investment team to create priorities which reflect resident need in the Community Investment and Social Value Strategy Statement; and have committed to co-creating the next Resident Engagement Strategy in partnership with TCH. 

Highlighting the resident perspective

The RVP will continue to meet quarterly, and its role is to complement and support the function of the Resident Experience Committee (a subgroup of the TCH Board) by bringing the resident perspective to:

• Help shape the strategic direction of TCH and specifically participate in business planning
• Support delivery of the Resident Engagement Strategy
• Review performance with a focus on Tenant Satisfaction Measure’s and reality checks
• Commission mystery shopping
• Review service standards
• Champion the agenda for tackling social housing stigma, hold a special interest in equality and accessibility and for reaching the ‘silent resident’
• Ensure community investment and social value activities meet resident priorities
• Support event planning (e.g. roadshows, repair days, annual resident ring-a-around).

Could you Get Involved?

The Resident Voice Panel is just one of the ways that residents can share their views and help shape our services. If you’d like to be part of the discussion, you can find out about the opportunities via our Get Involved webpage.