Ways to get involved

Here are just some ways you can get involved with Paradigm. If you would like to find out more or have an informal chat about any of the opportunities listed below, please contact Tina Olowookere by email tina.olowookere@paradigmhousing.co.uk or call her on 01628 811861. To see our latest Get Involved booklet click here
 
A number of our residents feature in this very short video (right) explaining why they think getting involved at Paradigm, in any one of the ways mentioned on this page, is a good idea.

Accompanied Estate Inspections

A large number of estate inspections have been planned in all areas. If you want to know when you can accompany your Housing Officer on one, you can ring your Housing Officer or call Customer Services.

Housing Surgeries

We hold a number of local housing surgeries across the districts, where residents are invited to come and have their say, report repairs or comment on housing services. Paradigm Maintenenace Limited (PML) staff and housing staff are on-hand to address your queries. To find out when and where the next 'drop-in' housing surgery will take place you can refer to the Getting Involved : Calendar

Welcome to your Community Events

We are planning a number of Welcome to your Community Events on newly-built estates to enable neighbours to get to know each other and meet key people in their community, such as the local police and local authority representative.

Residents’ and Community Associations

These are local groups formed around a street, block of flats or an estate. We have a Code of Practice for resident groups that explains how to set one up and what support you can expect from us. You need to ensure that sufficient neighbours are interested in forming a group before contacting us. You can either speak to your housing officer or contact Tina Olowookere email tina.olowookere@paradigmhousing.co.uk or call her on 01628 811861.


Residents’ Forum

The role of the Residents’ Forum is to help the company focus on the issues of most concern to residents. They ensure there has been sufficient resident involvement in any papers that go to Board about changing customer services. Working in partnership with the Board they help regulate the performance of Paradigm. They meet at least six times a year, each member is paid a nominal fee. Applications are welcome from any resident or homeowner, see the Current Vacancies page for the latest opportunities.

 

Asset Management Residents Group

The aim of this group is to identify investment priorities and to provide feedback on proposed changes to services. They also regularly review our performance for repairs and investment works. They meet four times a year in Buckinghamshire. If you are interested call Tina Olowookere on 01628 811 861 or email tina.olowookere@paradigmhousing.co.uk

Sheltered Housing Tenant Representatives

Two representatives are elected by residents in each scheme and residents can go to them with any issues. If you are interested please speak to your Sheltered Housing Officer.

Readership Panel

If you think you would like to read and comment on our policy documents, customer leaflets and other literature from the comfort of your home, by post or email. Contact call Tina Olowookere on 01628 811 861 or email tina.olowookere@paradigmhousing.co.uk for more information.

Service User Quality Inspectors

Any resident can apply to become either a mystery shopper or a quality inspector. To become a mystery shopper residents will undergo some training before being asked to make about 40 telephone calls a year. Those with computers can also do email 'shops'.

A resident quality inspector also undergoes training and is asked to check the standard of our estates against the estates standard as well as empty properties and then feed back.

Both roles are paid a small amount. If you are interested in becoming involved, call Tina Olowookere on 01628 811 861 or email tina.olowookere@paradigmhousing.co.uk

 

Resident Internal Auditors

A small number of residents have been trainied by Mazars, our external auditor, to help carry out internal audits. In 2011/12 they were involved in nine service audits including repairs and maintenance and complaints. Reports go to the Audit Committee where a member of the Residents' Forum has been co-opted.

 

Customer Suggestions

Residents can send us ideas to improve the way we work at any time, by email, website, letter or suggestion card. We will investigate these and let you know the outcome. For more details click here.

 

Concerns, Complaints and Feedback

Through the complaints form, feedback form and the website you can send us your comments, compliments and complaints. For more details click here.

We use this feedback, as well as that from surveys and resident focus groups to influence our priorities and shape services.

Communicating with Residents

If you are interested in journalism or editing you may want to get involved in producing some of our literature for residents. For example by joining the editorial panel of the quarterly residents magazine Paradigm People (in person or virtually) ,writing a letter or story for the residents page, or joining the Focus Group for the Annual Report to Residents (four months a year). Call Carol Levin on 01628 811848 or email carol.levin@paradigmhousing.co.uk

 

Task and Finish Groups

Residents are invited to join time-limited, specific project groups where they can make a big impact in a short period, for example when we need to hear your views on, how we deal with anti-social behaviour, or setting ground maintenance standards.

 

Focus Groups

There are always a number of opportunities to join a one-off face-to-face meeting to discuss a particular topic. For example a number of residents got involved in deciding the specification for replacement kitchen and bathrooms.

Surveys

We welcome feedback from customers through surveys by phone, post or email because this helps us understand 'customer experience' and levels of satisfaction with each service.