For many years TPAS has worked with and supported the Council and Shetland tenant’s forum to maximize tenant engagement across Shetland.

TPAS supported the newly formed Tenant Participation Liaison Working Group (TPLWG) in Shetland, with training and general support. The TPLWG is made up of one member of staff representing each department in the housing section who are responsible for driving forward engagement.

The Council applied for the Scottish Government Next Steps Tenant Participation support programme, in partnership with TPAS Scotland as their support organization, and their application was successful.

The aim of the Next Steps programme is to support landlords by working with tenants, officers and governing body members through a participative programme of workshops and a desktop audit of policies and practices to create a jointly agreed action plan to improve tenant participation.

TPAS are aware of and understand the challenges of working in an island environment. Anita Jamieson Executive Manager Housing, Shetland Island Council said

“TPAS Scotland really took the time to understand how our organisation works – the people and the place. That makes a real difference in being able to shape things that will work for our tenants and our staff.”

TPAS Scotland worked with and supported the participants to develop an action plan that was unique to Shetland and importantly was achievable and created to continue to support the participant to realize their participation goals.