A group of involved residents at PCH gave up their time this weekend to spread the word about engagement opportunities and recruit new members to their team.
The Resident Communication Advisors (RCA) set up a stall at the Friends of Devonport Park Festival to help promote the group and find new members, showcasing the positive impact residents can have on their housing organisation when they get involved.
The Resident Communication Advisors (RCA) meets monthly to review PCH’s communications and suggest improvements, ensuring that what we say as an organisation, and how we say it, reflects what matters most to our communities.
The RCA has an exclusively online group to support them called the Online Communication Resident Advisors (ORCA) whose members review PCH documents and communications digitally via email, such as letter templates, policies, brochures and draft strategies.
RCA members Suzanne Hyde, Shirley Knibb, Mel Gallagher and Stacey Winn volunteered their time to speak with fellow residents visiting the Devonport festival, highlighting how the group helps shape communications at PCH.
Mel Gallagher, RCA member, said: “We were more than happy to volunteer and connect with the local community. It was great to spread the word that PCH is an organisation that listens to its residents, and we were able to speak to a lot of residents whilst people were enjoying the music, food, games and stalls.”
Shirley Knibb said: “It was such a lovely day, although the weather was a bit touch and go at the beginning. We were more than happy to help, as we believe in the good work of the RCA and we want other residents to know that PCH has resident voices at its heart. We’re looking forward to meeting newly interested residents and welcoming them on board if they want to join.”
Suzanne Hyde continued: “No matter who you are or how much time you have available, there is a way of getting involved for everyone.”
Jay Vickers, Senior Communications Officer for PCH, said: “I was really pleased with the enthusiasm the RCA has showed in wanting to recruit new members – it shows they truly believe in what they are doing. This is what we aim for as a social housing landlord. Our residents are here acting as advocates for PCH and our involvement methods because they can see that it makes real, positive changes for people across the city.”
The RCA meets this Thursday with 5 new residents coming to observe the meeting after expressing an interest in joining either the RCA or ORCA.
If you are interested in finding out more about the RCA, ORCA or our other resident engagement opportunities, please click here.
