Resident engagement strategy consultation

Lewisham Council Housing Services has pioneered an innovative and resident-led approach to developing our new Resident Engagement Strategy.

To ensure the strategy was truly co-produced, we formed a panel, comprised of 10 residents selected from over 100 applicants. The panel was designed to represent the diverse demographics, tenures, and areas within Lewisham. The group met four times, both in-person and online, to oversee the consultation process. They played an integral role in shaping the approach, reviewing the questions, and monitoring the consultation to ensure it reflected residents' needs.

Our engagement efforts reached approximately 850 residents through a variety of methods, demonstrating our commitment to inclusivity and diversity. We utilised online surveys, gathering feedback from over 700 residents, and held focus groups with key community groups, including the Young Mayor’s and the Vietnamese Family Partnership.

We also conducted door-knocking in various locations and translated the survey into Somalian, French, and Vietnamese to remove language barriers.

What sets our approach apart is our innovative use of community partnerships. We collaborated with local food stores, youth projects, gardening groups, and schools, tapping into our networks to engage residents who may not have otherwise participated. Regular monitoring of responses allowed us to target areas with low engagement, ensuring the consultation reflected the voices of a wide cross-section of our community.

This collaborative, resident-led process enabled residents to truly shape the new strategy and framework ensuring their voices are at the heart of engagement going forward.

There is still time to feed back on what we’re proposing (before December 2024). Email communityrelations@lewisham.gov.uk to find out more.