Croydon Council administer the London Resident Involvement Champions Network. Croydon is one of the four housing authorities who were awarded Beacon status by the Government in 2006 for ‘Improving Housing Services by Involving Tenants’.

 

In 2008 a conference for officers involved in resident involvement across London was organised and hosted by Croydon Council. Over 100 resident participation workers attended the event and expressed their support for both a London wide and national network. They also set out their aspirations for the networks which were:

 

·        Opportunities to network & learn from each other

·        An interactive web site

·        Signposting of good practice

·        Peer mentoring

·        A voice for RP workers in shaping Government policy or the regulatory standards for RP

·        Profiling

·        Partnership working

·        Raising the profile & benefits of resident involvement

·        Value for money conferences & learning exchanges

                           

                                                                                                           

Following the conference a small officer steering group was formed. This group has developed the terms of reference for the network, agreed priorities, planned the first learning exchange and agreed the first e-newsletter.

 

The London region now has over 150 members on its e-mail list. Through this web site we hope to keep you updated with the activities in the London region and showcase our good practice.

 

If you would like to register on the London network, become a member of the steering group, provide an example of good practice from your organisation or just make an enquiry please contact Sheila Thomas at sheila.thomas@croydon.gov.uk

 

Chris Stock

Resident Participation Manager

Croydon Council

chris.stock@croydon.gov.uk