Category: Tenant Involvement

By the tenant involvement team

During the past year, the residents’ group on this estate have gone from strength to strength.  Last Easter, we supported them to put some Easter crafts on the estate with the help of FLUX and Early Years Support. It was a great event with lots of families attending. Since this event the group have held other events including a Halloween event, Christmas event and they organised a coach trip to Cleethorpes, something that has not took place on the estate for many years. This coach trip was subsidised for residents by the group raising their own funds towards this.

However, the biggest achievement for this group to date is that in January 2025 they became constituted and opened their own back account. The group then decided they would like to hold their own Easter event this year. They applied to the Children’s Capital of Culture for a £250 grant to help them put the event on. They also contacted FLUX who put on some crafts and a pottery workshop and Early Years Help who brought some games and books where children could listen to stories. With the funding they received from Children’s Capital of Culture, the group organised an Easter egg hunt around the green space, free facepainting and a tombola and raffle to raise funds for the group.

The day before the event the group organised a litter pick around the park to make sure there was no rubbish on the green space for the following day. Along with tenants, Rotherfed, RMBC staff and Councillors also took part. Streetpride kindly provided the equipment and removed all the rubbish collected. They also did a litter pick stencil on the entrance to the green space. 

The day of the event, Friday 11 April, was a glorious sunny day, and everything went so well, and everyone had a great time. Over 100 residents attended and through the tombola and raffle the group raised over £200 which will go back into their funds to help towards future events and activities. The group said how pleased they were with how the event ran and are very much looking forward to the next event on the estate which is being planned for Monday 18 August. They will also be looking at other events/activities/depending on what funding they can secure moving forward.

After years of trying to get a group together on this estate it’s been amazing to see it happen. The group are so enthusiastic and have lots of plans for the future. I can’t wait to see what the next few years bring for them.

By the tenant involvement team

In early April, Debra received a call from a lady who had been signposted to our digital support service by a local Library. She shared that she had previously received support from Rotherham Digital and was eager to continue building her digital skills to increase her employability.

She was paired with our Digital Champion, Brigette, who was impressed by the learner’s motivation and foundational knowledge. Brigette committed to continuing their work together for as long as needed.

During a follow-up call to check on her experience and resource needs, I mentioned a vacancy at Rotherfed and offered to pass along her details if she was interested.

We’re thrilled to share that she was successful at interview and has now joined us as a colleague on the MOMGF project.

Welcome to the team, Sandra!

By the tenant involvement team

This month Rachel attended the TPAS Northeast Members event along with Nicola Harper and Jordan Hart, both council tenants, this was held and hosted by Connect Housing in Dewsbury. It was a good turnout with over 40 attendees from as far at Newcastle in the North to Hull in the East, it was a good mix of tenants and landlords. Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council, Wakefield Metropolitan District Council and Hull City Council, who were also there, all have received the Exemplar TPAS Accreditation.

The event started with a TPAS Talk, this was news for their members and a roundup of what is happening nationally, and the training TPAS has to offer.

Sally Butterworth from Regulator of Social Housing then gave an informative and insightful presentation on the latest regulatory developments and people were given an opportunity to ask questions.

The landlord host, Connect Housing, gave us a unique insight their successful engagement practices. This included a “Boot Camp” session they held which expanded on their scrutiny panel and how they got other people involved. 

After lunch we participated in an interactive session where we shared success stories from different organisations and shared challenges i.e. engaging hard to reach communities, digital barriers etc. This session really made us realise the fabulous work we already do, the success of it and how it makes a difference.

Stop Social Housing Stigma then spoke about the latest progress and upcoming initiatives and explained how to get involved. They are working with other organisations including TPAS and have launched a Tackling Stigma Journey Planner. Many tenants feel like second class citizens and this needs to change.  They would like to get as many members as possible signed up to support this.

To finish the event there were some Engagement Heroes Recognition Awards to celebrate the incredible achievements of those volunteers making a different in tenant engagement.  It was fabulous to hear that both Nicola and Jordan had received an award, which was very much deserved for them both. 

It was great event very informative and beneficial; we were glad we had attended and look forward to the next one.

By the tenant involvement team

Volunteers at Rotherham District Civic society dedicate themselves to preserving local heritage and led the call to arms on social media asking for people to help out at the site.

The team that came together included the local RMBC neighbourhoods’ team, RotherFed, Volunteers from the Civic Society and a resident who was excited to be involved in a local initiative as he “usually misses these types of things on Facebook because I don’t see them”. Equipment for the clean-up was provided by the civic society volunteer and RMBC “Love Where You Live” initiative. 

Volunteers spent the afternoon clearing overgrown vegetation, remove debris, and restored the site’s dignity. The Cholera Burial Site was transformed from a neglected space into a clean and respectful memorial. 

The restoration of the Cholera Burial Site serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of preserving local history. The project demonstrates the positive impact of community collaboration and the power of social media to mobilize volunteers. It reinforces the value of civic engagement and the dedication of organizations like the Rotherham District Civic Society. 

The dedication of local organizations and individuals is essential for maintaining the historical and cultural fabric of a community, and even small amounts of community activity can have a significant impact. 

By the tenant involvement team

A group of twelve dedicated tenants have recently collaborated with Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council and Rotherfed to develop an Individual Needs Framework, aimed at revolutionising how council services are delivered. 

The individual needs framework will outline the Councils commitment to ensuring its landlord services are accessible to all tenants and prospective tenants, including those with diverse needs and vulnerabilities 

In a friendly and relaxed focus group setting, tenants shared their personal experiences and valuable insights, laying the groundwork for a comprehensive framework designed to address the diverse needs of Rotherham residents. This collaborative effort seeks to ensure RMBC services become more tailored, accessible, and responsive to individual circumstances. 

Rotherfed staff commended the tenants for their commitment and significant contributions. “The tenants’ willingness to openly share their experiences and work collaboratively has been absolutely crucial in shaping this framework,” a Rotherfed spokesperson stated. “Their input will undoubtedly have a lasting positive impact on how RMBC services are delivered in the future.” 

The Individual Needs Framework is anticipated to be implemented in the coming months, promising to significantly enhance the council’s ability to provide effective and equitable services across the entire borough. 

By The Tenant Involvement Team

As part of our new contract with RMBC we have to deliver two Building Safety sessions a year with a at least 8 tenants per session.  This was our first one.

The much publicised and improved Government legislation for high-rise buildings has led to the creation of the Building Safety Act 2022. RMBC wrote to all tenants, advising them of the increased communication for 2025. Letters were sent in December 2025, and the building safety session was set for Wednesday 19 February, from 6pm until 8pm in the ground floor meeting room. Food was provided. 

Rotherfed carried out two door knocks prior to the session. The first one was held in January, we knocked on all tenants’ doors to make sure they had received the letter and find out if they would be attending.  The second door knock was the evening before the meeting. From both door knocks we got the opportunity to chat to tenants in general about issues they might have about the flats, which including problem with damp and mould, homeless people access the building, lifts breaking down, drafty windows, corridor lights out, these were some of the issues highlighted. We had 23 tenants confirm that they would be attending. 

The session took place, and 19 residents attended which is a great turnout. RMBC Officers when through the agenda and spoke about the engagement strategy plus other important items and the session finished with a Q&A session. It was a successful first session where residents felt they had been listened to on the issues they raised.

In general, when it comes to fire safety the residents feel safe in their homes and don’t think fire safety is a real problem, the work RMBC have done regarding this has been brilliant. However, it’s the other issues that are making them feel unsafe in their homes.

Drop-in sessions will start taking place once a month for a couple of hours. RMBC staff and Rotherfed staff will attend these. These will be advertised to try and get more tenants at these.

By The Tenant Involvement Team

Members of the Fitzwilliam Estate’s TARA area are buzzing with anticipation for 2025, as their dedicated community group embarks on a new chapter of growth and service. After two years of operating informally and relying on self-funding, the group has taken a significant leap forward by becoming a constituted body, paving the way for a year of impactful community initiatives. 

Driven by a passion to support their neighbours, the TARA has been a beacon of community spirit since its inception. However, to truly expand their reach and address the needs of the estate, they recognised the need for formal structure and access to funding. 

With invaluable support from Rotherfed staff, the group successfully constituted in early January and swiftly opened a bank account in February, unlocking a wealth of funding opportunities. This pivotal move has allowed them to solidify their long-term vision of delivering more projects, events, and day trips to foster community cohesion and engagement. 

Recognizing the need for financial backing to realize their ambitious plans, the TARA, with continued assistance from Rotherfed, has submitted their first funding bid. This crucial application seeks support for two years’ worth of day trips and community events, as well as essential equipment to enhance their activities. 

The group’s ultimate goal is to break down the stigma often associated with living on the estate and create a thriving, supportive community. The outcome of their funding bid, expected in May, will be a major turning point. 

Regardless of the outcome, the TARA is already forging ahead with plans for a packed schedule of engagement events. Their dedication to improving the lives of Fitzwilliam Estate residents is undeniable, and 2025 promises to be a year of significant progress and positive change. 

Two members of the TARA signing the group’s constitution.  

By the tenant involvement team

The Kimberworth Park TARA group is currently undergoing a kitchen renovation at their resource centre. This centre has been the group’s home for many years, serving as the base for their three-day-a-week subsidised meal program, charity shop and for their community events and day trips.

Funds generated from these meals and the group’s charity shop are crucial for supporting many projects including community day trips and events. 

Thanks to successful funding from VAR through the Miss Penlington Community Chest Grant and the support of Rotherfed staff, the group is replacing outdated kitchen equipment with more energy-efficient models. This upgrade will not only allow the group to continue serving the community but also reduce utility costs and enhance the group’s sustainability for the future. Alongside the upgraded appliances the group have got new crockery, cutlery and pans to give the dining area an uplift. 

The first batch of new equipment arrived on Monday 27th January, marking the beginning of this exciting kitchen renovation. 

By The Tenant Involvement Team

Bridgette has been helping a gentleman for the past couple of months, who was concerned about the online safety of his personal information and bogus job offers on websites. This gentleman had been made redundant and was extremely competent in his field but lacked experience in using online tools to search for employment. 

Bridgette has been instrumental in building this gentleman’s confidence, helping him recognise whether a website is safe and check the privacy policies of sites such as Indeed, so that he feels confident his data and privacy are protected when applying for jobs. 

Bridgette was delighted to learn that this gentleman had secured a job interview and is now far more confident and knowledgeable about how his data is used when entered online.