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John, Resident Participation Manager
Blyth Valley Housing Ltd, Blyth Valley Borough Council

I have been working for Blyth Valley Housing for one and a half years. Prior to this I worked for Alnwick District Council as a housing officer and before that, for Berwick Borough Council as an administration officer.

In my role as resident participation manager, I provide key support and assistance to tenants' groups ensuring that housing services are delivered in line with customer needs and expectations. It is my responsibility to provide support and assistance to the residents' forum, formal and informal tenant and resident groups and resident associations.

I am responsible for ensuring effective consultation, through a wide range of means including newsletters, focus groups, surveys etc. I also organise and run training courses on a wide range of topics, to assist tenants in their efforts to actively participate in housing management issues.

The skills and qualifications needed to do my job are a good knowledge of tenant participation issues and best practice. You also need experience of working with tenant groups and board members and have, or be studying towards, a Chartered Institute of housing (CIH) qualification.

The best part about my job is being able to make a difference to residents' areas and improving their capacity.

I have received lots of training whilst being employed by the council including equality and diversity, management, recruitment and selection, equality impact assessments, ISO auditing, adult numeracy and literacy level two. I am also undertaking an NVQ level four in management and have an annual training plan.