I want to do something for the community

Taking a career break to bring up her three-year-old daughter, Grace Isoa was interested in giving something back to the local area when she read our appeal for resident inspectors in the Spring edition of this magazine.

“I like to work, and wanted to volunteer for something that would build up my skills, and benefit the local community. It was through the magazine that I saw all the opportunities, and decided to become a resident inspector.”

Ground-breaking

Grace joined our ground-breaking project in September 2010, working with two other local housing associations to train residents to inspect each others’ services. The first volunteers will interview residents, shadow our staff, write reports, take part in focus groups, grill directors and recommend improvements.

“I never knew residents had a say,” says Grace, “I love the fact that Sentinel has embraced the ‘big society’ idea, and that there can be more of a relationship than just paying rent. Although I haven’t been involved long, I’d definitely encourage other residents to come forward.”

“The good thing about this project is residents from other associations will be inspecting Sentinel and vice versa. That means my own wants and desires won’t come into it, and it will just be an honest opinion of the service.”

The idea of resident inspectors came from the Hampshire & Districts Residents’ Forum – a group of around 100 residents from the 10 main housing providers in and around Hampshire.

Up for the challenge

Grace and the other inspectors are already gearing up to the challenge ahead by swapping information about how the respective landlords are serving their customers, and will then investigate further.

Although unpaid, resident inspectors receive up to £60 a day in shopping vouchers, as a thank you for giving up their time. And that is the Big Society in action.

If you want to help us improve, get in touch with Richard Pilbeam on 0800 195 5515, or leave him a message here.