Setting up a residents’ group

How Helena can help you get started

This information tells you what help you can get from Helena if you want to set up a residents’ group. It explains what residents groups are and what they do and it sets out what benefits your area could gain from setting up a group.

We actively support residents’ groups and work with them to improve our services and the local environment. They’re also a great way to meet people and to develop community spirit. And they can help people who sometimes feel left out of a local community – for example young people or the elderly.

What are residents’ groups?

We work with two types of group in St Helens. The first are the less formal ‘buddy groups’ while the others are more formal tenants’ and residents’ associations.

Buddy groups don’t have a formal structure or committee to run them. They don’t need things like a bank account and a constitution and don’t have to hold annual general meetings. They are often set up for a specific purpose and will be time limited – often only lasting 12 months.

Tenants and Residents’ associations meanwhile do have a formal structure, a constitution (set of rules) and are run by a committee which usually includes a chairperson, secretary and treasurer. They do have to hold an annual general meeting and need to open a bank account.

What benefits have these groups delivered to Helena neighbourhoods?

We have found working with both buddy groups and tenants’ and residents’ associations to be hugely beneficial to our company – and to the neighbourhoods we serve.

Tenants’ and residents’ groups, and buddy groups, can help encourage community spirit – and represent their local community’s interests to us, the local council and the police.

They’ve helped us improve services in lots of ways – by taking part in estate walkabouts for example. These involve members and Helena staff walking round estates to identify problems and agree solutions.

They also work with Helena to draw up estate agreements and local lettings policies.

Residents’ groups have also helped us set up a system for reporting issues quickly and easily. Groups can now track how these issues are being dealt with by neighbourhood staff on behalf of the community.

Residents groups organise a range of activities aimed at improving the area where they live. These include:

• Litter picks and clean ups
• Skip days
• Scrub clearance
• Planting, communal garden makeovers and making hanging baskets
• Recycling

They also work hard to involve under-represented groups, such as older people and young people in their community. For the elderly, activities such as days out, hot pot suppers and Christmas parties have been organised. For young people, groups have helped run ‘dream teams’ which carry out activities that benefit the community – in return for which young people earn rewards. Arts and environmental projects have also helped young people get involved with their local community.

Groups are also playing an important role in helping us tackle anti-social behaviour and neighbour nuisance. They work with us and the police to help make our areas safer, quieter and better places to live. All information provided to us by residents’ and buddy groups is done so on a confidential basis.

How do I set up a group?

Helena is keen to support the setting up of tenants and residents’ groups and buddy groups. We can help in lots of ways. Contact your Community Engagement Development Officer first on (01744) 675678 who will put you in touch with your local Community Engagement Officer. They can advise on whether a tenants/residents’ association or buddy group is best for your needs.

Setting up a tenants’ and residents’ group requires you to go through the formal process of holding a public meeting. You’ll have to decide on a constitution – the set of rules governing how you’ll be run - appoint committee members as well as people to take on the roles of chairperson, secretary and treasurer.

Setting up a buddy group is less formal.  First you need to get together those who want to form the group and decide what area you want to cover. You’ll need to keep members informed through a newsletter.

What help can I get from Helena?

We can provide funding and staff to get you started and help you once you get up and running. Our Community Engagement Officers are there to help you set up your group. They’ll then work with our neighbourhood teams on the issues you want tackling.

We can also provide:

• A grant to buddy groups for up to £150
• Annual grants for tenants’ and residents’ associations to cover running costs
• Help to organise regular meetings and walkabouts with community engagement and neighbourhood officers
• Free support and training
• Advice from Community Engagement Officers

Click here to find out how to contact our local neighbourhood offices>
Click here for a list of recognised residents groups>
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