Block reps keeping an eye out in their community

One of the positive consequence of the pandemic has been an increase in the number of tenants offering to become block reps to help improve their local community. We now have 77 block and street reps across the city who all represent their neighbours and work with us to improve the housing service for everyone.

Robb has been a block rep at Dumbleton Towers in Thornhill for 13 years and enjoys helping his community. He said: “Most people in the block know me and know they can talk to me about any local issues or queries. I know my way round the council, have a good relationship with local housing staff, I sit on the Repairs Panel and also attend the Police and Communities Team meetings so I generally know who to talk to get things sorted and know what’s going on locally so I can feedback information to my neighbours.  

“I often wait in the foyer so I can chat to people and explain my role as a block rep. Recently the council gave me free recycling bags to distribute, which went down very well with residents, and this has had a very positive result as I now notice recycling bins are generally always full. I’m glad to help make the Towers a better place to live.”

Block reps like Robb provide a link between the community and the Housing Service and volunteer to get involved with things including:

• Representing the views of neighbours
• Keeping residents informed of housing news, consultations and events
• Liaising closely with Housing Service staff and Neighbourhood Wardens
• Raising local issues or reporting repairs to the council
• Becoming green space monitors or cleaning monitors to check the block and outside areas are well maintained
• Attending local walkabouts to highlight estate issues

Many block reps also roll up their sleeves to make a difference by litter-picking and improving outdoor areas. In fact, at Golden Grove block reps have started their own gardening club called Golden Leaves. They’ve been so successful in bolstering community spirit and improving the look of the area they were shortlisted for a “Stars in the Community” award last summer.

In the past block and street reps have played important roles in helping to bring about changes such as improving recycling systems in blocks, successfully campaigning for free green bins in communal garden areas and suggesting important changes to the online repairs reporting form.

If you would like to volunteer to become a block or street rep read our online guide to becoming a block or street rep we will give you training to help you in your role.  Please get in touch with our Tenant Engagement Team on 023 8083 3185 for details.