As the world gets ready to celebrate International Women鈥檚 Day (March 8), we are highlighting the powerful female voices helping to shape the future of the organisation.听
With strong representation on our involved customer groups, they play a crucial role in scrutinising new and existing policies by bringing to the table a wealth of experience and unique insights.听
From these recent comments from members, it鈥檚 clear they are on board with the theme of this year鈥檚 International Women鈥檚 Day, Accelerate Action – an ambition shared by the entire Housing Plus Group team and aligns with our dedication to extending opportunities for female colleagues as well as in the wider community.听
Involved customer Annie, from Stafford, stresses the importance of women having a strong voice when it comes to social housing.听
鈥淲hile a man鈥檚 approach can often be very practical and provide short-term solutions to immediate issues, we can often provide a more sympathetic, long-term view, and some of the female members are now at an age where we have plenty of life experience,鈥� explained the former dressmaker.听
鈥淲hile it always feels rewarding to have your say and put in your 鈥榯wo penneth worth鈥�, doing so can result in real change and I would urge everyone to get involved at some level, even if it鈥檚 just filling in a questionnaire, to provide feedback whether it鈥檚 good or bad.鈥�听
Moving forward, Annie would like to see Housing Plus Group further develop its customer engagement initiatives.听
鈥淲e need a spectrum of people to share their views if the organisation is to continue delivering the services required to meet the needs of local communities,鈥� she added.听
As well as offering Housing Plus Group invaluable feedback on our services, the women themselves say that they also gain a lot from volunteering to serve on the panel. Pam, a customer from Shrewsbury, first became involved after submitting a minor complaint to us several years ago.听听
Having worked previously in domiciliary care, and now a carer herself, she has frequently raised concerns about the impact of proposed policies that may not have been immediately obvious to those without any disabilities.听
鈥淚t鈥檚 a credit to the organisation that they have actually listened and taken our perspective into account,鈥� she explained. 鈥淚t is very rewarding to feel listened to, and personally I have learned a lot about how large organisations operate and the challenges they sometimes face.听
鈥淚t鈥檚 also reassuring to know that our views are being taken into account and that our housing provider is doing all it can to get the broadest range of views before making any decisions that impact on us, the customers.鈥�听
Like Pam, mother and grandmother Leda also became involved after being so impressed with the way we dealt with a complaint. Now she would encourage anyone with a view on what the organisation should be doing, to get involved.听
鈥淚t does feel really good to feel valued, and we鈥檝e been consulted on a wide range of policies as well as helping to prepare the organisation鈥檚 annual report,鈥� said Leda, who worked as a beautician and holistic therapist until a stroke five years ago meant she had to give up work.听
鈥淚t is really important that women鈥檚 voices are heard, particularly those bringing up young children. I鈥檓 pleased to say that Housing Plus Group is really prepared to take their views on board and is very supportive of its customers. In fact, the more you get involved, the more it feels like being part of a big family!鈥�听
Becky Hughes, Interim Director of Improving the Customer Experience at Housing Plus Group (HPG) explains: 鈥淭he women in our involved customer groups are from a broad range of backgrounds and represent communities across the areas we serve, and they are all committed to holding us responsible for the services we provide.听
鈥淭hey offer a voice for many others who may feel unable to speak up, which is particularly important within social housing, a sector that plays a massive role in the lives of many vulnerable people.听
鈥淭he female volunteers also offer an excellent example of how we are encouraging even more women to engage with us, and their participation is now helping others to feel at ease with getting involved and helping us shape our services to best meet their needs.鈥�听