Say hello to our Customer Voice and Review Committee (CVRC). They’re here to make sure your voice is heard loud and clear!
Who are they?
Our CVRC’s made up of 14 customers who live across Yorkshire. They represent our wonderfully diverse communities to make sure the views of all our customers are heard. They get together regularly to talk about current issues and things that matter most to you, our customers.
Phil, who’s been one of our customers since 2017, leads the group. He’s called the Chair of the CVRC.
What do they do?
Our CRVC are a busy bunch! Each member plays a different role depending on their skills and interests but generally, they:
- Meet monthly to talk about the stuff that matters to customers
- Get trained up on need-to-know social housing stuff
- Get involved in projects around the business
- Review our services and processes, track our progress and make sure we’re keeping our promises!
What are the benefits?
- Shape how we do things
- Improve the customer experience
- Gain new skills and experience (looks good on your CV!)
- Meet new people and make new friends
- Boost your confidence
We recognise being on this committee’s a big job. And that’s why we pay you for your time and effort. Pretty cool, right?
Meet our members
Been a Yorkshire Housing customer since: 2016
Lives in: Thurnscoe, South Yorkshire
Reason I joined the CVRC: To help create better, safer, healthy, energy efficient and sustainable homes and environments for everyone to enjoy.
Interested in: Energy efficiency and sustainability of our homes and community where we can be proud to live.
Favourite thing about being on the CVRC: Knowing the work I’m doing is helping to improve things for customers.
Favourite hobbies: Reading, listening to music, and researching all things climate change.
Been a Yorkshire Housing customer since: 2017
Lives in: Huntington, York
Reason I joined the CVRC: To make a difference for customers by helping Yorkshire Housing solve and avoid issues.
Interested in: Customer service/experience and making a difference in our communities.
Favourite thing about being on the CVRC: Hearing all the different experiences from both CVRC members and Yorkshire Housing colleagues while making the customer voice heard across all areas of the organisation.
Favourite film: Star Trek II - The Wrath of Khan
Been a Yorkshire Housing customer since: 2001
Lives in: Sheffield, South Yorkshire
Reason I joined the CVRC: To make sure disabled people have a voice.
Interested in: Helping make a difference in people’s lives, especially customers with additional needs.
Favourite thing about being on the CVRC: Helping to raise the profile of the experience of disabled customers.
Favourite meal: My husband Lee’s cottage pie!
Been a Yorkshire Housing customer since: 2011
Lives in: Skipton, North Yorkshire
Reason I joined the CVRC: I sat on Yorkshire Housing’s Craven customer panel, helping to set up the tenants’ charter and what we wanted from Yorkshire Housing. I want to make sure these actions are now fulfilled for all Yorkshire Housing customers.
Interested in: Helping Yorkshire Housing become the best housing association it can be, in line with government regulation. Empowering customers to make sure we get value for money for our rent and service charges and giving Yorkshire Housing a better understanding of customers’ needs.
Favourite thing about being on the CVRC: Working with like-minded people who truly want the best for Yorkshire Housing and its customers. Dealing with important issues but still being able to laugh and enjoy our work!
Favourite hobbies: I love wildlife, watching sports (especially football, I’m a Leeds United fan!), but my favourite thing of all is spending time with my family!
Been a Yorkshire Housing customer since: 2014
Lives in: Leeds, West Yorkshire
Reason I joined the CVRC: I’ve got lots of experience in giving constructive feedback that leads to improvement. And I enjoy being involved with projects that make a difference.
Interested in: The environment and reducing waste.
Favourite thing about being on the CVRC: Interacting with other people, getting a deeper insight into issues and working towards one common goal.
Favourite thing you do in your spare time: Woodwork.
Been a Yorkshire Housing customer since: 2020
Lives in: Selby, North Yorkshire
Reason I joined the CVRC: I wanted to be part of the voice that speaks for all Yorkshire Housing customers and contribute towards positive change.
Interested in: I’m passionate about supporting families and vulnerable customers.
Favourite thing about being on the CVRC: The wonderful team members that I’m privileged to be working with.
Favourite thing you do in your spare time: Working on my degree in perinatal mental health and days out with my family.
Been a Yorkshire Housing customer since: 2016
Lives in: Batley, West Yorkshire
Reason I joined the CVRC: To represent the diversity in my community and make sure everyone’s voices are heard and valued.
Interested in: Diversity and inclusion.
Favourite thing about being on the CVRC: I love knowing I’m helping to progress diversity and inclusion for Yorkshire Housing customers and staff.
Favourite film: Quite a selection! The Great Escape, Clint Eastwood’s/Sergio Leone’s Western Trilogy and many more!
Been a Yorkshire Housing customer since: June 2020
Lives in: Huddersfield
Reason I joined the CVRC: To turn an initially frustrating experience into something positive, seeking to help improve the service received by customers.
Interested in: Making sure the customer is heard and improving the customer experience.
Favourite thing about being on the CVRC: Working as a team to make things better.
Favourite meal : A Sunday roast.
Favourite film: Shawshank Redemption.
Favourite hobbies and / or favourite thing you do in your spare time: Reading, football and quality time with my family.
Been a Yorkshire Housing customer since: August 2000
Lives in: Leeds
Reason I joined the CVRC: To help represent customers of all areas and backgrounds. I especially want to focus on those living in deprived areas have their voice and opinions heard, helping them bring to the table what matters most in order for Yorkshire Housing to become one of the most trusted housing associations with a high customer satisfaction output across all areas.
Interested in: Equality, diversity and inclusion. I believe everyone should be included and have a fair chance at everything without prejudice or bias.
Favourite thing about being on the CVRC: Being with a diverse group of people and knowing that I can help influence and bring a change to help both the customers and Yorkshire Housing. I also like being able to bring to the table the views of customers in order to get their voices heard.
Favourite thing you do in your spare time: I am a foodie and enjoy fine dining and reading in my spare time. I also enjoy spending time with my family especially my children.
Been a Yorkshire Housing customer since: 2012
Lives in: Mapplewell, near Barnsley
Reason I joined the CVRC: Over the years I’ve taken part in various Yorkshire Housing activities, from testing the customer portal, evaluating contractor tenders, the customer voice panel and the complaints forum. I like being involved and to know what’s going on. What better way than to join the CVRC and not only know what’s happening but have input into how things progress.
Interested in: Making sure that everyone is, and feels, included. Customers shouldn’t just be anonymous numbers on a spreadsheet but treated in a personal way. I’m also interested in complaints. I’ve taken part in lots of discussions at the complaints forum meetings about how Yorkshire Housing has handled complaints. As a customer, I can see how things have gone wrong. I’m sure the CVRC can take this issue forward and help to reduce the volume of complaints.
Favourite thing about being on the CVRC: I’ve only just joined so I’m not sure as yet but one of the highlights will be hearing about changes or improvements from their initial stage and helping to develop them.
Favourite meal :Italian
Favourite film: A Star is Born
Favourite hobbies or favourite thing you do in your spare time My dogs; going to antiques fairs & car boot sales; gardening; volunteering for the RVS.
Been a Yorkshire Housing customer since: 2018
Lives in: Settle, North Yorkshire
Reason I joined the CVRC: To improve the services that we receive as I feel they fall short.
Interested in: ASB and complaints procedures. In my personal time I'm interested in dog training, gardening and running.
Favourite thing about being on the CVRC: Not sure, it's too early to say! It's good to meet like minded folk though.
Favourite meal and things to do: Anything with eggs, being outdoors and making smoothies
Been a Yorkshire Housing customer since: 2017
Lives in: Leeds, North Yorkshire
Reason I joined the CVRC: The reason I wanted to join as a member of the CVRC is because for the majority of my career I've been involved in supporting people in one way or the other. I have worked with non-statutory agencies to act as an advocate and a voice for individuals experiencing all different life challenges. I love a challenge as well as seeing results, especially when it’s a life changer. I think being a member of the CVRC will enable me to apply my life skills and knowledge to work together to see results.
Favourite thing about being on the CVRC: I love the aspect of speaking to people from all different walks of life and sharing their experiences.
Favourite meal : I love West Indian food, curried lamb, rice and peas laced with a lovely salad and homemade coleslaw.
Favourite hobbies: Making wax melts and baking cakes.
Favourite thing you do in your spare time: I like to spend time with family. I also attend my local church where I'm part of the Soup Kitchen helping to serve the community by providing them with hot food and a bag of shopping.
Been a Yorkshire Housing customer since: 2022
Lives in: York
Reason I joined the CVRC: To work with others to hopefully come up with cost-effective solutions to problems.
Favourite thing about being on the CVRC: Being part of a team which can explore issues and help make improvements to Yorkshire Housing on behalf of other customers.
Favourite hobbies: Cycling and gardening.
Favourite thing you do in your spare time: Spending time with family and friends.
What we've been up to recently
- We're working with Yorkshire Housing’s income and money coaching team to look at how they can support customers with the cost of living crisis.
- We've reviewed Yorkshire Housing’s repairs service and are helping to shape how they improve the way they work in the future.
- We've been getting out and about touring some of Yorkshire Housing’s communities. We’ve been talking to customers about find out what’s important to them, so we can properly represent their views. Check out the blog by committee members Steve and Ray.
Fancy joining the CVRC?
Our CVRC is open to all our customers to get involved. Simply fill out our Get Involved form to join the committee or drop us a line at customerengagement@yorkshirehousing.co.uk
If you need help with joining or if you want to find out more before signing up, just let us know. We’re happy to help!
If you don’t fancy our Customer Voice and Review Committee, there’s plenty other opportunities to get involved! Check out our Your Voice Matters group and our homes and environment group.
FAQS
Yes, we’ll pay you for your time and you’ll be paid monthly. When we’re looking for new members to join, we’ll include the amount we pay in the advert.
Whatever your background, all customers are welcome to get involved. When you join, we’ll give you full training and our customer engagement team will always be around to support you.
Of course, we can help customers with all different needs and abilities. Get in touch with our friendly team to talk about what you need and how we can support you.
We have 10 formal meetings a year. Sometimes we also meet for one off sessions if there’s something specific we need to cover. You don’t have to come along to these. If you miss them, we always record the sessions so you can catch up in your own time.
We meet online over Microsoft Teams. Usually we catch up between 5pm and 7pm on a weekday.
If you spend money on something because you’re on the CVRC and we’ve agreed to it, we’ll cover the cost.
