Get Involved

Would you like to join the Resident Partnership Group?  

The Resident Partnership Group (RPG) is a friendly, independent group of resident volunteers who meet regularly to review FGCH's housing service and make recommendations for improvements.

The Group would like to encourage residents who live in Central Beds and resident shared owners to take part and help the Group to widely represent all residents views.

Taking part is a great volunteering opportunity and for younger residents, will enhance your skills and build your CV around the experiences that employers value. 

RPG Chair Andrea Edwards said: “We give residents a voice and help First Garden Cities to make the right decisions – for residents and for the organisation. 

We've been involved in discussions about communal garden maintenance, holding FGCH to account for better service and are in regular discussions about rent setting and FGCHs approach to dealing with damp and mould 

“We want the RPG to be a representative cross-section of residents. It’s healthy to have different viewpoints and diversity.  We’re very keen to get more younger residents on board because they’ll bring important new perspectives and ideas to the table.”

Vice Chair Richard Pitt said: “I joined the RPG because I wanted to get involved. We’re a friendly group of people who want to make a difference.  The Pandemic was a difficult time for people and I am keen to work with FGCH to organise more social activities for residents and their families that encourage friendship and community. ”

If you would like to take part please call Helen Cairns, Head of Resident Experience on 01462 683307 or email RPG@fgch.co.uk

Our 2024 Resident Satisfaction Survey is now completed.  Thank you to those who told us what you think about your home and the housing services you receive from us. 

The results of the survey will be published here in the New Year.

If you have any questions: please email enquiries@fgch.co.uk  or call our Resident Services Team on 01462 683307.

• This year's estates visits programme has recently concluded.  We visited 13 neighbourhoods between March and October 2024 with members of RPG joining us on visits to Welwyn Garden City, Hatfield and Letchworth's Westbury neighbourhood.  A summary of what happened as a result of the visits is now published here
• Two recently formed resident panels are taking part in discussions about repairs and building safety and the complaints handling service.  The Repairs Panel is discussing a programme of enhancements to improve the energy efficiency of our older homes.  Meanwhile the Complaints Panel is reviewing how well we are complying with strict complaints handling processes introduced in April 2024.

For more information about our Panels and how to take part, email Helen.Cairns@fgch.co.uk 

Scrutiny projects are co ordinated by the Resident Partnership Group (RPG).  In April 2024, the Group looked at how FGCH can deliver a more ‘respectful’ housing service. Sixteen residents participated in the event, chaired by TPAS,  and made nine recommendations for service improvements.  Eight have been agreed with a timescale for implementation. 

View the latest action tracker here

Since 2015 residents have been carrying out projects to review the quality and performance of housing services, leading to  improvements in how things are done.