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Community Voice Scheme
What is a Community Voice?
A Community Voice is someone who
takes some time to find out what issues tenants and residents in their street (or block of
flats or area) are facing. They can then support their neighbours.
This may be by:
Giving them information. Giving people contact details for council departments or other agencies that may be able to give
them support or resolve their problems. Ensuring that elderly or vulnerable people aren’t isolated. They also work with the Neighbourhood Officer, Community Development Workers or others Informing Council Officers about issues in the neighbourhood, this could
include issues like, fly tipping, repairs, abandoned vehicles, antisocial behaviour,
and graffiti, cleaning and drug paraphernalia,
Community Voices can also be actively involved in helping with litter picking,
or even block inspections on flats.
(If you want to do this you need to be given training prior to this undertaking,
RFTRA can arrange this for you.)
Informing neighbours of plans that may affect them.
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In many areas
there are people who already do this – why become a Community Voice?
You can be put in contact with
others working in the area – both Council officers and residents. You may be able to
represent your neighbours on ‘walkabouts’, when Officers walk around the area
checking what needs to be done. If you are a Council tenant, your Neighbourhood Officer may ask
you to help with consulting other tenants about the
‘Tenant Improvement Fund’ (TIF)(funds
which can be spent on small scale environmental improvements in each area according to the
priorities of tenants).
You can get support through
meetings with other Community Voices who may have faced similar issues. RFTRA and the
Tenant Participation Unit can give support and advice on how to deal with particular
issues.
The association, RFTRA, the Tenant
Participation Unit and Officers responsible for your area can provide you with
information, so that you can help your neighbours more effectively.
If Community Voices want training in
any area which would help them to carry out this role better, it can be arranged by the
Tenant Participation Unit. (TPU)
If you would like more information about becoming a
Community Voice, contact the Tenant Participation Unit on 0118 939 0730
Community Voices, who are recognised by the Council, are now able to join RFTRA,
but we would strongly encourage them to get in contact with their local Association
if there is one in the vicinity. Please contact us if you would like information on their location.
Community Voices are only entitled to join RFTRA Executive Committee if they live
outside any Association area recognised by RFTRA.
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