This has been achieved through the creation of a resident’s association which was promised to tenants if they voted to transfer from their previous social landlord to WSHA.

The resident’s association is already making great progress and has met regularly to discuss WSHA service delivery, investment in tenant’s homes and community projects.

The Woodlands & Garnethill Residents Association steering group held their First General Meeting in February 2023 where the constitution was adopted and the first Management of Committee of the Residents Association was formed.

Chair of the new Woodlands & Garnethill Resident’s Association, Roz Smith, said: “Since WSHA took over from Charing Cross Housing Association and supported the creation of our new resident’s association, we feel that together we have the potential to be a force for positive changes in these two areas. Our voices are being heard as we are now part of the decision-making process and we are working in partnership to bring life back into our communities.

“We are bursting with really proactive ideas to get people interested in how they can be part of it all. Woodlands & Garnethill can be a great example of what residents can achieve when working in partnership with an organisation like WSHA.”

Brian Gannon, chief executive officer, WSHA added: “The creation of a Woodlands & Garnethill Resident’s Association was a key Transfer promise for us as we know we make better decisions when we take account of the needs and preferences of local residents. Only a few months after Transfer the new group was giving residents a voice in how services and investment decisions were being made and delivered.

“We are delighted we have been able to formally create the resident’s group in such a short space of time which is credit to the hard work and enthusiasm of our volunteers and to staff at WSHA. The new Residents Association will review progress on a quarterly basis with WSHA on our Transfer Promises on service delivery and investment and I am particularly pleased at the excellent progress we have made to date on both, since the Transfer on 1st August 2022.”