We don’t have Residents attending Board meetings for all the reasons laid out above. We do, however, have a Residents’ Forum twice a year where a representative from each of our sites can meet with two Trustees, our Buildings Maintenance Officer and me to discuss any recommendations/suggestions. The Forum may discuss any aspect of the services and maintenance provided by the Charities, but not items which fall within the remit of the Wardens or which would be covered under the complaints procedure. The Forum will not discuss matters pertaining to specific individuals other than as an example of a wider concern.
It has been relatively successful. The Residents from the different sites get to meet one another, they also get an understanding of how much we actually do at the different sites and how much money it costs. If nothing else, they feel that they are being listened to.
Susan Coen
Salisbury City Almshouse & Welfare Charities