What attracts young people to join the Board of a Housing Association?

Robyn Inglis, a tenant of Home Group Scotland is a 36-year-old final year university degree student living in Dundee.  A busy Mum to three children (one of whom is disabled), Robyn was invited to join the Board of Home Group Scotland as a customer board member.

 

Robyn didn’t jump straight into the role.  During an estate walkabout Robyn wanted to discuss a repair issue that she had recently faced. Following that conversation, she was encouraged to become an involved tenant through a variety of tenant involvement opportunities offered by Home Group Scotland.  These opportunities included viewpoint and customer promises assessment, offering individuals the ability to be involved as much or as little as they wanted.   Robyn was invited to meet members of the Board to talk about what was required and also met the Boards of other parts of Home Group Scotland where it became apparent that tenants were experiencing similar issues to those in Dundee.  An opening came about last year for a customer member and Robyn jumped at the chance to take up the role.

 

“I find the whole experience rewarding and interesting.  It’s been a great learning curve for me.  As well as being the voice of my local community, I’ve been able to build on my own skills.  I’m interested in the area of advocacy for families and children and the experience of being on the Home Group Scotland Board has been a great help in helping me focus my thinking.

 

The Board welcomes everyone’s opinion.  We sit alongside the Home Group Scotland Executive team, as well as the Non-Executives, but everyone is seen as an equal and all opinions count.  We work well together as a team, and we are all focused on achieving the same goal. As well as discussing serious matters, we also have a good laugh and discuss interesting topical issues that affect the lives of all tenants living in Home Group Scotland properties.  We’re quite a diverse group with people from different backgrounds, genders, ages, and cultures which means we look at all perspectives.   I’ve been very lucky to be mentored by the Chair, Susan Deacon, who has supported me over the last 12 months and answered those awkward questions you don’t want to ask in front of the whole Board.

 

I feel I’ve had a significant impact on decisions that have been made by the Board.  I make sure I represent the opinions of all customers and talk openly and honestly about the services we receive from Home Group Scotland.  To me, I make sure customers voices are heard!  Another great benefit of being on the board is that Home Group Scotland provide on-board training for customers who are interested in joining the Board, and participants receive a certificate on completion.

 

What would I say to someone thinking about joining the Board of their housing association?  Go for it!  If training is available, go along and meet the team and find out if you feel you can add value.    If, like me, you are studying, it doesn’t take up much of your time and our meetings are a mixture of online and face to face.  It helps boost your skills and confidence and teaches you skillsets that will be useful in your future career.”