National Tenant Council applicants confident in its impact

Almost three quarters (73%) of applicants to the National Tenant Council (NTC), which will be an important part of the National Tenant’s Voice, believe that the NTC will have a significant impact on social housing over the next few years. The survey, which questioned over 250 applicants, also revealed that the majority of tenants who had applied to sit on the Council had primarily done so in order to drive policy changes nationally (77%). The nationwide campaign to find 26 social housing tenants to sit on the 50-strong NTC attracted over 1200 applicants. The recruitment is being led by Hays Social Housing in association with Communities and Local Government (CLG), and an advisory tenant-majority project group.

Perhaps even more positive feedback was the 85% who believed that the NTC would encourage other tenants to stand up and speak out on the issues that affected them. As one tenant said: “There is strength in numbers.” Tenants acknowledged that there was a lot of work to be done, particularly when it came to gaining credibility for the Council. Many respondents, while positive about the potential impact of the NTC, remained realistic and said that in order to be effective it had to be valued by all government parties and tenants. One respondent said: “With the prospect of a general election ahead and the country in the midst of a recession, the NTC must ensure it is a voice that speaks with authority and is heard.”

Respondents cited anti-social behaviour, affordable homes, waiting list times and social housing conditions on the top of their agenda should they make it to the final 26. They also acknowledged that the NTC wasn’t without its challenges; one being that only 4% of those who applied across England were aged 18-30. Applicants largely believed this was due to a lack of confidence in this age-group, coupled with added responsibilities they may have: “Many young adults are raising families, working full time or gaining qualifications, this is not a priority to them” one respondent said. Those setting up the National Tenant Council are already talking to young peoples' organisations about ways to ensure the voices of this age group are heard.
Matt Lewis, Director of Hays Social Housing, comments: “We received a high level of applications from all over England and those short-listed are tenants who have proven they can present their views and will make a strong contribution to the Council. The chosen applicants will be the ones who are confident in taking on the challenges ahead and really want to make a difference.”

For further information on Hays Social Housing please visit www.hays.com/socialhousing

Applications for National Tenants' Council reach over 1200

Applications to sit on the newly formed National Tenant Council reached over 1200 before closing. The nationwide campaign is being run by Hays Social Housing in association with Communities and Local Government (CLG), and an advisory tenant-majority project group. 26 tenants are being recruited to sit on the newly formed National Tenant Council, which will be an important part of the National Tenant Voice (NTV). For the past eight weeks, Hays Social Housing, together with the NTV project group, has actively engaged with social housing landlords and tenants organisations across the country, using social networking sites, poster and advertising campaigns and social housing newsletters to encourage tenants to apply for one of the coveted positions.

Of those that have applied 78% are aged 45 years and over, 16% are 31 - 45 and 4% are aged 18 – 30. 57% of the total applications were male. Those that are in the chosen 26 will sit on the council with 24 members nominated by existing tenants' organisations, putting forward their views on the major issues that affect tenants.

Matt Lewis, Business Director at Hays Social Housing, comments: “We are incredibly pleased with the high level of applications we have received from all over England. Interviews will now be given to 450 applicants, where we will assess how well they interact and present their views. 52 will then go through face-to-face interviews in November in order to find the final 26. Although the numbers of younger applicants are considerably lower, we are going to do our best to ensure that they have a voice as well.”

Richard Crossley, responsible for coordinating the setting up of the NTV, says: "The response shows the appetite amongst tenants to be actively involved in the decisions that affect them. The National Tenant Council will be an important part of the National Tenant Voice structure. But as the NTV develops it will also seek to give every tenant an opportunity to input, in a variety of different ways. "



For more information on Hays Social Care please visit: www.hays.com/socialcare

Hays partners with Action for Children

Following a staff vote, Hays, the UK’s leading specialist recruitment company, has announced that its new corporate charity partner is Action For Children. Hays employees will spend the next year raising money in a number of ways, including various sporting challenges, the London marathon, raffles, dress-down days - in which consultants pay to dress casually, cake sales, quiz nights and other bespoke Hays fundraising events. Hays has agreed to match employees’ fundraising efforts by up to £40,000 at the end of the year.

Action for Children is one of the UK's largest children's charities working with over 156,000 children, young people and their families at around 420 projects across the UK. Previously known as NCH, Action for Children is committed to helping the most vulnerable children and young people break through injustice, deprivation and inequality so they can achieve their full potential.

Tim Cook, Managing Director at Hays, comments: “We are excited about working with Action for Children, raising lots of money for them and also putting in the time to help wherever we can. Staff in over 200 offices across the country have already showed a tremendous interest in the various activities and we even have a crew signed up for a Dragon Boat race. We look forward to working with friends, families, colleagues and the local communities to support such a worthwhile charity.”


Claire Tickell, Chief Executive at Action for Children, comments: “Action for Children is really pleased to be launching our partnership with Hays, not only for the staff fundraising element which will see vital funds raised for some of the most vulnerable children and young people, but also for their support around our Youth Employability programme where their advice will be invaluable to its future development.”