The outcomes we must achieve as part of this standard are:

• Maintenance of shared spaces - We must work co-operatively with customers, other landlords and relevant organisations to contribute to the upkeep and safety of shared spaces
• Local cooperation - We must co-operate with relevant partners to promote social, environmental and economic wellbeing.
• Safer neighbourhoods - We must work in partnership with appropriate local authority departments, the police and other relevant organisations to deter and tackle anti-social behaviour.
• Domestic abuse - We must work cooperatively with other agencies tackling domestic abuse and enable tenants to access appropriate support and advice.

Some of the ways we meet this standard include by:

• Working with our statutory and community partners to keep our estates and neighbourhoods clean and tidy.
• Clearing fly-tipping and graffiti on our land.
• Providing cleaning and grounds maintenance services via contractors to agreed standards which offer value for money.
• Carrying out quarterly inspections of our neighbourhoods and publishing the dates of these here so that customers can join us.
• Getting involved in community projects and initiatives designed to tackle issues and make improvements which are unique to the local area.
• Employing specialist community safety officers who work with the police, local authorities and other agencies to prevent and reduce anti-social behaviour.
• Working with the police, charities and other organisations to safeguard the people living in our homes, including via our dedicated tenancy sustainment service.

Customer engagement groups monitoring performance against this standard

Neighbourhood Champion s

Neighbourhood Champions are our ears and eyes on the ground. They work with the Neighbourhood Officers to let us know how well services such as grounds maintenance and communal cleaning are being delivered in their neighbourhood. We then use this feedback to hold our contractors to account and drive improvements. 

Building Safety Forum

The Building Safety Forum is made up of customers who live in our high-rise buildings.

They work with our building safety team to provide feedback and input on building and fire safety works, advice and communication.

The Irwell Valley Foundation panel

The Irwell Valley Foundation is our charitable investment fund which supports customers and communities with grant funding to support projects and people in the neighbourhoods where we have homes.

The panel oversees how and where the grants are given, ensuring funds are put to the best possible use in our communities.

Customer Standards Group

Our newly-named Customer Standards Group replaces our former Customer Offer Panel and tracks how we're performing against the new consumer standards.

Working with senior leaders from across Irwell Valley Homes, they drill down into different areas of the organisation to hold us to account and help us understand where and how we can improve.

Tenants and Residents Associations (TARAs)

Our customer engagement lead engages with TARAs which have been set up in the neighbourhoods where we have homes - facilitating communication and developing relationships in order to drive forward improvements which meet local priorities.

If you’re interested in joining any of these groups email involveme@irwellvalley.co.uk or call 0300 561 1111.

Executive Director responsible