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Replies
All the best
Phil
As I am sure that you got lots to offer and hard to believe more than 3 years- I realy solute you for your continuant motivation - wow! Well Done.
Life are funny sometimes - a good friend of mine is a retired vicar and say sometimes: God must be sitting there and laughing.
Another friend used to say God give Nuts to people with no teeth ( like you getting many opportunities all at once).
Anyway You have the teeth and the nuts now - wish you well in the new Job.
Take care
ofer
I know from experience with similare organisations that what is often required is a full time post, but with funding for only a 'part time' person. So invariably you end up working more hours than what you are contracted for. However you are also part of the community and things are a lot more relaxed.
Also as money is not the motivator, at least not in my case, the resentment that normally builds up in other industries does not become a factor. So I am certain it will be a success for all.
Philip Voice said:
BGS LTD said:
This is the first real job where I have been excited and really looking forward to starting. I guess I'm a little slow as it has taken me 40 years to work out what I want to do when I grow up.
I have always envied people like artists, musicians, gardeners in that they have talents they can use to improve peoples lives. I have found my 'talent' in a passion for people and making where they live into somewhere they want to be, and in empowering them to have a say in what is a basic need.
I have the best of both worlds, as a tenant I have the ability to make a huge difference in my local community, as a worker I have the priveledge of helping others to achieve the same.
Seems to me after three and half years of sucking lemons that is one heck of a lemonade to be making.
Ofer El said:
Pip
Unfortunately many tenant management organisations are very insular in their approach. Many of those involved are interested in their own estate/area with very little thought to the wider community, either in the context of their locality or within tenant management community. We are also poor at recognising our achievements let alone promoting them.
Yet research commissioned by various government bodies has shown that the model not only provides better housing services than local councils and registered social landlords but are extremely effective in dealing with many of the problems associated with 'council estates' including tackling crime, anti social behaviour, social inclusion, youth issues. Areas that had previously been unpopular are now highly sought after.
Yet despite this research tenant management still remains unrecognised for their ability to tackle these complex issues. The social exclusion unit in its report to tackling social exclusion included the need for residents to be involved in local decision making but ignored the contribution of tenant management.
Government policy in tackling social deprivation and more particular it's negative effects has extensively promoted mixed communities, and while they say they support tenant management and have recognised the benefits have failed to actively promote this option. Indeed many of the ideas that have been implemented and being touted now either removes this option or would make it less likely that residents would be motivated to take up this option.
In general when tenant management has received press coverage it has been negative and involved the few that have come to an end spectacularly.
Despite living in an area in the top quartile for crime, including a number of stabbings, drug dealing, prostitution and a range of other issues our satisfaction surveys constantly score high for feeling secure, our community room is left open all day, whether anyone is in there or not, we have low grafitti, theft and zero vandalism.
Unlike many of the communities around us we are deliberately not gated or have cctv cameras, except for the entrance of the office and this has more to do with the security of our staff than fear of crime.
Of course some of these will change as we move on to tackle some of the trickier issues, the open air gym, plus we have secured 5 pc's so we can give access to the internet to all our residents. But rather than looking to start locking things up I am looking at using them to provide even more services. Health outreach program with the open air gym, providing drinks and a limited range of food in the community room run by volunteers so the computers are not left unattended. In the newsletter we are issuing a summer youth challenge to create a website for us and even asking for volunteers to take over the making of our newsletter - taking it out of the hands of the board on the back of the pc's. As well as running a digital photography club, homework club, silver surfer club, training sessions on using Office and the internet. Later on we will look at including games for children.
Comparing this with the council's attitude to similar developments. Internet access the emphasis in on controlling the time people are on and security, or a large number of basketball courts that have sprung up around the borough with no thought to either organised or semi organised basket ball teams or events.
It is this difference in approach, these facilities are provided to meet the needs of the residents, and how can we maximise the benefit to the residents rather than deciding what the local people want, provide it and leave them to get on with it, the only real concern afterwards possibly being security or dealing with unwanted behaviour.
Ooooops sorry climbed onto my eggbox. In a few weeks I will be able to afford a soapbox ~grin~
Pro Gard said:
I had wondered, but had put it down to you being busy. Thanks again.
Cornwall Landscaping said: