SalfordOnline

Customers are being given the skills they need to excel in getting involved – through a new training scheme run by City West Housing Trust.

Achieve is a training programme that has been developed especially for customers who are interested in helping their landlord shape existing and future services.

There are many ways that customers can get involved in City West including joining a focus group, a Local Area Panel, or a Service Excellence Group, starting a tenants’ and residents’ association, attending a customer forum or becoming a neighbourhood champion or a customer inspector.

The three week training programme is suitable for customers interested in getting involved in any of these activities or working or volunteering in social housing.

The first cohort of trainees has recently completed the course and the next programme of evening courses is planned for over the summer at City West’s head office, Centenary House, in Eccles.

Graduates are able to work towards becoming part of the Achieve Club, which will allow members to mix with other Achieve graduates and share their experiences of customer involvement.

City West customer Leia Smith, who has recently completed the Achieve training, said: “It’s been a brilliant training programme and I’ve learnt so much about City West, social housing and community work - more than I ever could of imagined.

“Getting involved with City West is a great way to have a say on the services we want to see. However, this training helps us make even better decisions because we now have an understanding of how the business works.”

David Cummins, Director of Communities and Neighbourhoods for City West Housing Trust, said: “As service users, our customers have an important role to play in developing new services and improving existing services. Achieve will give them additional skills and a boost in confidence to make the best decisions for fellow tenants and City West.

“We have a very active core of dedicated customers who get involved with City West, but we are always on the lookout for more people to join us. There are activities to suit all levels of time and abilities - we also have specific activities for our young customers.”

For more information about Achieve or finding out how you can get involved with City West Housing Trust, please contact the Communities Team by emailing involved@citywest.org.uk

Photo: David Cummins, Director of Communities and Neighbourhoods for City West Housing Trust, presenting customer Leia Smith with her Achieve certificate.