The organisation has now officially rebranded to ‘Tenants Together’ to better reflect who they are: a national network of tenants, committed to empowering the tenants of today and tomorrow, ensuring their voices are heard and influence decisions within the Scottish social housing sector, to protect tenants’ rights and make a difference.

Funded by the Scottish Government, network members worked with the Tenants Information Service (TIS) to design and implement the new brand identity, mission statement, vision for the future, and core values. It was important that the approach was tenant-led to ensure the new identity embodied the key priorities and ambitions of the network’s members.

Colin Stewart, chair of Tenants Together, explained: “This is a major milestone for our organisation. With a clear vision and mission, we can move forward with our commitment to making sure the views of tenants and service users are listened to, acted upon, and are at the forefront of all housing and community developments. It is a very exciting time for us.”

The improved branding will provide the housing sector with a better understanding of the aims of the network - who will speak up to protect tenants’ rights and offer a variety of opportunities for tenants and service users to influence national housing policy, work to ensure tenant participation is embedded within the culture of housing organisations operating throughout the sector, and share a unified voice for tenants and service users on national committees, boards, and taskforces.

Fawn Russell, communications and media manager at TIS, said: “The new brand identity of Tenants Together encapsulates a renewed sense of purpose for the network and its members. Throughout the rebranding exercise, it was clear that network members have an unwavering commitment to become the leading, unified voice for tenants across the Scottish social housing sector, and to have a national presence and seat at the table.”

The launch of the new Tenants Together brand was aptly timed, as Tenants Together, begin a recruitment drive to encourage tenants and service users of a Registered Social Landlord (RSL) or local authority, operating throughout the Scottish social housing sector, to get involved and sign up to membership – completely free of charge.

Members of Tenants Together can decide to get involved at a level that suits them and will have the opportunity to:

• Be a part of a national network of like-minded tenants and service users who share a commitment to empowering the tenants of today and tomorrow.
• Work in partnership with the Scottish Government and other key decision-makers to ensure the interests of tenants and service users are at the heart of policy development.
• Become a champion for the organisation and promote the work that they do at local and national events and conferences.
• Share your views on national housing policy and development, and best practice relating to tenant participation and engagement.
• Come together with Tenants Together peers to review information and discuss some of the biggest challenges facing the sector.
• Engage directly with the Scottish Housing Regulator on the issues of key importance to tenants and service users in relation to the regulation of social landlords.
• Participate on national committees, panels, boards, task forces, and at ministerial meetings.

Shona Gorman, vice chair of Tenants Together, highlighted that there are a range of benefits that you can gain from becoming a member: “If you are a tenant or service user of an RSL or local authority and are passionate about making positive change in the Scottish social housing sector, and want to be part of an organisation, and greater purpose, that makes a real difference to the lives of communities across Scotland, then I would encourage you to become a member of Tenants Together. We are a network of like-minded, friendly tenants and welcome you to get involved!”

Anyone interested in becoming a member of Tenants Together can email info@tenantstogether.scot to find out more – or alternatively, stay up to date with the latest work by signing up to its newsletter at www.tenantstogether.scot.