Trust Housing launch new Tenants’ Handbook25th May 2007
Trust Housing Association recently celebrated the launch of their new Tenants’ Handbook. An event was held to mark the occasion on 25th May 2007 at the Association’s head office in Edinburgh where attendees included tenants and staff who had participated in the development of the new book.
The handbook was developed over an 18 month period and involved consultation with staff across all departments to ensure all areas were covered. Tenants also had an invaluable input. A number of focus group meetings took place during which tenants were able to have their say in how they wanted their handbook to look and the topics they wanted to see covered in it. The result is an easy to use and comprehensive reference guide for tenants which aims to provide them with as much information as possible about their tenancy with Trust, covering a wide range of areas such as rents; repairs; transfers and ending a tenancy; housing support; and complaints.
Trust worked closely with the handbook designers, North Berwick based company ‘Creative Link’, to produce an attractive yet cost effective and sustainable design. The A5 ring-binder format containing loose leaf inserts means that changes and additions to the handbook can be made easily without the need for an entire reprint.
At the launch event tenants from the focus group meetings were treated to a buffet lunch, as a thank you for their involvement in the project, and received advance copies of the new book. They were extremely pleased with the final product and believed they would find it a useful source of information. George Veryan, Director of Customer Services stated “I am delighted at the support staff have received from tenants in delivering our new handbook. It's another positive step on the road of ever increasing tenant participation in the work of the Association.”
Trust’s Tenants’ Handbook can be accessed on the Association’s website. Anyone requiring further information about it should contact Wendy Johnston, Housing Policy and Performance Manager, at the Association’s Glasgow office, 0141 341 3200.