Something good is happening

4/7/2010

A new community group launch has created great excitement amongst local residents and Magna Housing Association (MHA) in Dorchester. Community Connections is a new resident representative group, with big plans to shape the future.

A new community group launch has created great excitement amongst local residents and Magna Housing Association (MHA) in Dorchester.  
Community Connections is a new resident representative group, with big plans to shape the future.  11 members will be expected to play a full and active role working towards effective involvement with MHA, a big step towards putting residents firmly at the heart of the organisation.

The group has been a year in the making. MHA director, David Aldwinckle, explains:

“While we’ve always encouraged resident involvement through our area panels, about 18 months ago, we realised there were times when we didn’t always know what our residents thought until it was too late.  We needed a group of residents who could tell us what they thought about key decisions before they were made. 

“The launch couldn’t have come at a better time.  Our regulators, the Tenant Services Authority (TSA) have since encouraged housing associations to work more closely, and at a higher level, with residents.  We’re very pleased to be able to say, hand on heart, we now do just that!”
Anthony Preece, a Magna resident for almost 13 years is one of the group’s members and has been involved since the start last April, comments:
“I’ve been involved indirectly with tenant involvement for 12 years and positively believe the way forward is through equal partnership between residents and Magna Housing Association.  No organisation can say it represents people if they don’t know what people’s realistic aspirations are.”
Working at a higher, more strategic level, the aim of the Community Connections group is to support the Board and staff of Magna Housing Association and influence services for residents. Working positively in partnership it will be the key channel of communication between residents and the Board.
Membership is open to all residents of Magna Housing Association including those in shared ownership and leasehold properties, through a process of selection and election.  Visit www.magnaha.org.uk for details.
The group will meet at least 8 times a year and currently has Alison Cross Jones as their interim Chair.  Alison was part of a similar strategic group at Westlea Housing Association, she then went on to become qualified as a trainer, and has been instrumental in this initiative.  A story in itself, this shows what a difference becoming involved can make to an individuals life.  Alison comments, “In May 09 at a One Small Step event the Community Connections idea was born, it’s involvement at its best!” 
“The journey to making the group a reality is down to everyone’s hard work, enthusiasm and commitment.  Involvement is about investing in people and everyone should feel very proud of what’s been achieved here.”
Alison is a shining example of where tenant involvement can lead residents. Over the last five years she has gone from tenant involvement to the Chair of Westlea Housing Association’s strategic group, board member and, most recently, tenant inspector for the Audit Commission.
The Community Connections group has the ability and vision to become a beacon in resident involvement, from one small step it is now leaping forwards into the future!