Residents News 67 | SPRING 2026
Read About Our Recent Boost Your Potential Course Page 7
Find Answers to Some of Your Frequently Asked Questions Pages 8 and 9
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s e t a D r u o Y for Diary
sed tre will be clo n e C t c ta n o C Our ank holidays. b g in m o c p u over the FRIDAY
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GOOD FRIDAY
APRIL 2026
Y MONDA
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MAY 202
Early May Bank Holiday
MONDAY
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Spring Bank Holiday MAY 2026
Resident Events
MONDAY
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EASTER MONDAY
APRIL 2026
The Contact Centre is typically closed on the third Wednesday of each month from 8:45am to 11:00am to enable a scheduled team meeting. If you can’t reach us during this time, please try again later. If you have an emergency repair, please call our Repairs Line on 0800 542 8904
Our Community Engagement Team is hosting a series of upcoming resident drop-ins and events in local areas. These gatherings are a great opportunity to meet your Neighbourhood Manager, connect with fellow residents, or discuss any concerns with our team.
Easter Resident Drop-In 9 April 2026 | 10:30–12:30
Quarrendon & Meadowcroft Community Centre Drop in during the Easter break for a relaxed session with our Community Engagement team. There’ll be activities for children and support available for any housing-related queries.
Mental Health Inclusion Session
15 April 2026 | 18:00–19:00
Join us for an open and supportive discussion on mental health and wellbeing, led by Bucks Mind. We’ll explore what mental health means in everyday life, how to recognise signs of stress, and where to access support.
Online Resident Drop-In (via Teams)
June 2026 (date and time to be confirmed)
Can’t attend in person? Our online drop-ins offer helpful talks on a range of topics, including costof-living support. Please check our events page for confirmed dates and details.
For the latest dates and full details of the events listed above, please visit our events calendar at fairhive.co.uk/events.
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Dear Resident As Customer Services Manager, I’m delighted to introduce this issue of Residents News. Providing excellent customer service is something I’m genuinely passionate about. Every interaction matters, and our focus is on making sure our services are accessible, responsive and shaped around your needs. A key part of this is our continued move toward digital contact methods. Digital services allow us to respond more efficiently, offer greater flexibility, and make it easier for you to get in touch at a time that suits you. While we know digital won’t be right for everyone, we are committed to offering the right balance of options so no one is left behind. This edition reflects that commitment to transparency, improvement and resident involvement. We have an important message from the Resident Forum about Body Worn Cameras, on page 4 explaining why they are being introduced and how they support safety, accountability and trust. Resident voice remains central to our decisions. This article shows how your feedback shapes our approach. If you’ve ever thought about getting involved with us, hear from Paula, one of our resident volunteers on page 11 where she gives you more of an insight into what it’s like to volunteer. We are always welcoming new resident volunteers, so if you want to find out how to get involved, please do get in touch. There is also plenty to celebrate. On page 6 you’ll read inspiring stories from residents who took part in Blake Morgan work placements, sharing their experiences and achievements.
Our Boost Your Potential feature on page 7 highlights positive outcomes and personal successes, demonstrating how this initiative has made a real difference. We’re pleased to share the results of the recent Resident Census on page 12, including prize winners and how your responses are helping to inform future priorities and deliver services. Thank you to everyone who took part. To help you better understand our services, on page 14 we introduce you to the Contact Centre Team – often the first people you speak to and a vital part of delivering great customer service. On page 13, you’ll find information about Tenant Satisfaction Measures (TSMs), what they are and why they are important. Finally, within this edition you’ll find practical information on Childcare Support, Cost of Living Tips, Thistle Home Insurance, Scam Awareness, and clear Rent Increase Information to help you plan ahead. I hope you and your family enjoy the warmer weather this Spring and get the chance to join some of our upcoming community events. I look forward to seeing you at one of them soon!
Liz Stockton Customer Services Manager
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rom Your F s g n ti e re G e Springtim
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Resident Forum
We thought you would be interested to learn what your resident volunteers do. Depending on our experiences, skills and interests we contribute to various sub-groups, one of these being Scrutiny.
How we carry out Scrutiny:
We review data presented to us, usually from performance figures, or directly from employees looking for help with areas they feel could be improved. We carefully examine what is presented to us and make decisions in order of priority and feasibility. Once we have agreed a topic, we then start looking at where we can obtain the evidence to make our recommendations. This can be in the form of resident surveys, speaking with employees and information from trusted sources. Questions are devised based on this information, and relevant employees are invited for a chat, rather than an interview to put everyone at ease, which we feel gives the best results. Once we have the information, we make our recommendations, which then goes to senior management, and gets presented to the Board for final approval.
Employee enthusiasm:
During our meetings with employees over the years, we’ve discovered just how dedicated they all are. Despite having demanding roles, their enthusiasm for their work and how they can improve their services is truly commendable. Nothing is ever too much for them, they always have everyone’s interest at heart. We are lucky to have such committed people and would like to say a big thank you.
We monitor these actions twice a year, and we have also introduced a process to assess whether they are delivering a positive impact to residents and the community.
Body worn cameras:
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Following our discussions with Neighbourhood Managers, we needed to look at ways of enhancing the services and strengthening relationships employees have with all residents, and the importance of safeguarding everyone. The outcome being that we were happy to recommend the wearing of body worn cameras for a few frontline employees. This positive decision was made with residents’ and employees’ safety in mind. We feel it will reduce conflict and negative situations, whilst helping frontline employees to support residents with their issues. Fairhive employees are always looking into how they can improve the wellbeing of their residents and are pleased to be one of the first Housing Associations to pilot the body worn camera.
m u r o F t n e d i Your Res
Keeping Your Home Safe, Well Maintained, and Sustainable We understand that times are challenging, and talking about rent increases can cause worry. We want to be open with you about why these decisions are made and how they help us continue providing safe, secure homes and the services you rely on.
Why rents need to change
Proposed rent change for 2026/27
Rising day to day costs
Rent increases for social housing follow Government and Regulator for Social Housing rules. These limit increases to a maximum of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) plus 1%.
Each year, we review our rents to make sure we can continue to look after your home, carry out repairs, and deliver important services. A number of rising costs impact this, including: The cost of running essential services, like repairs, materials, and energy has increased. These pressures affect all businesses, including ours, and we need to cover these costs to keep your home safe and well maintained.
Repairs and maintenance
Many of our homes need ongoing or more complex repairs, especially older properties. Rent helps fund this work so we can carry out repairs promptly and invest in improvements rather than delaying them.
For the year 2026/27, we are proposing a 4.8% increase to housing and garage rents, starting 6 April 2026.
• September 2025 CPI: 3.8%
• Maximum allowed increase: 4.8% This ensures rents rise in a controlled and predictable way. If you’re worried about paying your rent we’re here to help. Our Welfare Team can offer free, confidential advice on managing your finances, benefits you may be entitled to, and support available to you.
Supporting services you rely on
From repairs and safety checks to housing support and community services, rent helps us continue providing the help many residents depend on.
Building more affordable homes
There is a growing demand for affordable housing. Rent income contributes to the funding needed to build new homes for local families who need them most.
Call us on 01296 732600 For more information about rent and how it is set, visit: fairhive.co.uk/paying-my-rent
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Opening Doors to Legal Experience with Blake Morgan
and gained insight into the different areas of law. It really helped me understand what I want to pursue in the future.” Another participant shared:
Last year, a group of our residents took part in a week-long work experience placement with our solicitors, Blake Morgan, through its Growing Ambitions programme. The initiative gave young people the chance to experience a professional workplace, learn about the world of business, and build confidence in a supportive environment. The placement was open to residents aged 16–18 during the summer. To reflect a real recruitment process, residents completed an application form, and shortlisted applicants took part in mock interviews. This helped them build practical skills and confidence before successful candidates were offered a place on the placement week. Participants were also given vouchers to purchase business attire, helping them feel prepared and comfortable in a professional setting. The interview and selection process helped young residents understand what employers look for and develop skills they can use in future opportunities. Overall, it proved to be a valuable chance to learn, grow and gain insight into the world of work. So, what was the week really like? Here’s what participants had to say about their time at Blake Morgan:
“Although I felt nervous at first, the team were welcoming from the start and helped me settle in quickly. I learned a lot in a short time, especially the importance of communication and attention to detail,
“The week began with a warm welcome from the trainers, followed by an office tour and an introduction to confidentiality, something I hadn’t expected as a sixth-form student. Despite never having worked in an office before, I found the environment friendly and supportive, with everyone happy to explain even complex legal concepts.” The placement included one-to-one shadowing across several departments, including, Commercial Property, Corporate, Family and Property Litigation. Participants worked on practical tasks such as reviewing title registers and analysing financial statements, gaining insight into the day-to-day work of a solicitor and the importance of accuracy and attention to detail. Workshops and talks on routes into law, CV building, trainee life and alternative legal careers added further perspective, helping participants link their current studies to future career options. A university visit and taster lecture also provided a first glimpse of higher education for some. One of the highlights of the week was a team challenge to design and pitch a conceptual law firm to a panel of investors. The exercise tested commercial thinking, teamwork and presentation skills under pressure and proved to be a memorable and confidence-boosting experience.
“By the end of the week, we were disappointed it was over. The experience has left me feeling better prepared for university applications and my future career, and it’s something I’ll be including in my personal statement.”
Thanks to All That Attended Boost Your Potential for 2026! Some of our residents have recently taken part in a new run of Boost Your Potential, our career coaching programme designed to build confidence, develop skills and support people back into work.
Delivered in January and February in partnership with Bucks Adult Learning, the free short course focused on helping residents understand job applications and interviews within business administration. It was open to any resident aged 19 and over, particularly supporting those returning to work after a childcare break, considering a career change, or looking to upskill after a period of unemployment. Across the sessions, participants explored the key skills employers value most, including organisation and strong people skills. They spent time identifying their own strengths, learning more about the responsibilities of a Business Administration role, and building confidence through practical activities linked to administrative tasks at Fairhive. The Community Engagement Team supported the course throughout, including delivering a presentation that gave participants an insight into working within the housing sector and the wide range of roles available.
A real strength of the programme was its people-focused approach. Care was taken to understand individual needs and reduce potential barriers to taking part, helping to create a supportive and trusted learning environment. This led to meaningful conversations and referrals to other teams and partner organisations, as well as raising awareness of the Thriving Communities Fund, which offers grant funding to residents. Feedback from the course has been very positive, with participants reporting increased confidence when applying for roles. One resident shared:
“Six sessions with two fantastically supportive team leaders, seven equally fantastic other students, and three weeks of discovering new career possibilities and opportunities, and all in a relaxed, friendly, fun, and supportive environment.”
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Answers to Your Most Common Questions To help you get answers quickly, we’ve pulled together responses to some of the questions our Contact Centre are asked most often. Many services can be accessed online at a time that suits you, but if you do need to speak to us, our team is always happy to help. How do I report a repair?
(For example: a dripping tap, a leak, no electrics, broken heating, etc.) You can report most repairs quickly and easily online via My HomeHub. This helps us log your issue and arrange the right support. You can also call for any repair requests, whether emergency or routine, please call us on 0800 542 8904. This number is available 24/7 for emergency ‘callouts.’ If you need to reach our Contact Centre, simply call 01296 732600, and we’ll transfer you to the appropriate department. Report a repair: fairhive.co.uk/the-repairs-process
What counts as an emergency repair? What priority is my repair? What are your repair timescales?
Emergency repairs are issues that pose an immediate risk to your safety or could cause serious damage to your home. These repairs are prioritised and should be addressed within 24 hours. Examples of emergency repairs include: • Gas leak or loss of gas supply. If you have a gas emergency, also call the gas emergency number: 0800 111 999. • Loss of drinking water supply. • Loss of electrical supply.
• Loss of heating & hot water (only an emergency if a household member meets vulnerability criteria, and only between 1 October and 31 March for heating).
• Security issues (main entrance door not locking or closing, broken windows or doors if security is at risk, or being locked in or out — possible recharge). For routine repairs, timescales will vary based on the type of issue. You can find further details on our website. Find out more about repair types and timescales: fairhive.co.uk/types-of-repairs
Who is responsible for grounds maintenance or communal grass cutting in my area?
Our Estate Services Team manages grounds maintenance and communal areas, including grass cutting, shrub maintenance, and care for shared outdoor spaces. If you need to get in touch with the team, you can call our Contact Centre and ask for the Estate Services Team, or reach out via email: estateservices@fairhive.co.uk Learn more about grounds maintenance: fairhive.co.uk/groundsmaintenance
9 Can I report fly-tipping?
Fly-tipping can be reported to us for investigation and removal, where appropriate. If you spot fly-tipping on our land, please contact the Estate Services Team either by email (estateservices@fairhive.co.uk) or by calling out Contact Centre, and we will arrange for it to be collected. Report fly-tipping: fairhive.co.uk/fly-tipping
Can I request adaptations or permission to keep pets?
Some changes to your home, including keeping pets, require permission. We assess requests to make sure they are safe, suitable and meet tenancy conditions. For more information about permissions please email contact@fairhive.co.uk or call our Contact Centre and ask for the Neighbourhood Team. Check what permissions you need: fairhive.co.uk/permissions-guide
How do I contact my Neighbourhood Manager?
Your Neighbourhood Manager is your main point of contact for tenancy-related matters, neighbourhood issues and support. You can find out who your Neighbourhood Manager is and their email address by visiting our website or contacting our Contact Centre.
Find your Neighbourhood Manager: fairhive.co.uk/my-neighbourhood-manager
What is the Independent Home Management (IHM) service and how much does it cost?
Our IHM service provides practical support to help residents live independently, such as help with daily tasks and wellbeing support. Residents who sign up to the service will be visited monthly by one of our Intensive Support Officers to help ensure they are managing to remain independent within their own homes.
There is a weekly charge for this service which can be discussed in your initial call, however if you are in receipt of the Universal Credit Housing Element or Housing Benefit the charge may be paid by the Local Authority or the Department for Work and Pensions. To sign up please call our Contact Centre so we can complete the relevant referral forms and allocate you a specific advisor. Find out more about the IHM service: fairhive.co.uk/staying-independent
I’m struggling with the cost of living, paying my rent or household bills.
If you’re finding things difficult, support is available. Our Welfare Team can assist with benefits advice, budgeting support, and referrals to local services. To book an appointment with a member of our team, please call our Contact Centre or email welfare@fairhive.co.uk. Rest assured, all calls will be treated with the strictest confidence. For more resources, please visit our Cost-of-Living Toolkit: fairhive.co.uk/-cost-of-living-resources Get welfare help and advice: fairhive.co.uk/welfare-help-advice
How do I pay my rent?
We offer several ways to pay your rent, including Direct Debit, online payments and other flexible options.
To set up a Direct Debit please complete our Direct Debit form online or email us at contact@fairhive.co.uk and we can email or post you a form to complete. Should you wish to set up a Standing Order directly from your bank you will need to provide your Tenancy Number as reference and make a payment to: Fairhive Tenancy reference number Sort Code 20-00-00 Account number 504 106 67 If you wish to pay by phone, please call our payment line on 01296 732804. View ways to pay: fairhive.co.uk/ways-to-pay
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Cost Saving Advice for Managing Household Bills and Essentials With the cost of living remaining high, many people are finding it harder to keep up with energy bills, food costs, and household expenses. The good news is that a range of support and practical steps can make managing your money easier. Energy and fuel debt support
If you’re struggling with energy costs, contact your supplier as soon as possible. They are required to offer support and may be able to set up an affordable repayment plan, give you a temporary payment break, or provide fuel vouchers if you use a prepayment meter. If you have a health condition, disability, are pregnant, or over state pension age, consider joining the Priority Services Register for extra protections and practical help. You can also check whether you’re eligible for schemes like the Warm Home Discount or other grants from government or energy suppliers. These can help reduce your bills or provide credit towards them. Your supplier, Citizens Advice, or your local council can help you understand what support is available. For tailored guidance, National Debtline offers free, confidential advice on 0808 808 4000.
Saving money on food and groceries Planning ahead is one of the best ways to save money: • Make a weekly shopping list and stick to it (impulse buys can quickly add up)
• Choose supermarket own-brand products to get good quality at a lower cost • Use loyalty cards, offers, and money-saving apps
Other tips:
• Batch cook and freeze meals to reduce waste and save energy
• Shop later in the day for discounted fresh items
• Access surplus food through apps like Olio If you need support with food, contact the Welfare Team, visit the Community Hub, or check the Foodbank page on our website.
Cutting household bills
Try and remember to review your subscriptions regularly and cancel anything you’re not using. You may also be able to negotiate better deals on broadband, insurance, or mobile contracts especially if they auto renew. Cashback sites and bank reward schemes can also help you make your money go further.
For more tips and advice, please visit our Cost-of-Living Resources page on our website at fairhive.co.uk/-cost-of-livingresources. We have some great money saving tips in our news article: fairhive. co.uk/news/struggling-with-bills-thisnew-year-2418.
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Are Your Belongings Protected? We would like to remind residents that as a landlord, we do not cover your contents as part of your tenancy agreement, your personal belongings in your home are your responsibility. No matter how careful you are, there’s always a risk that your belongings could be broken, damaged, or stolen. If your property had water damage, maybe from a neighbouring property, how would you replace your damaged goods? This could lead to huge financial pressures if you are not insured. Thistle Tenant Risks and Great Lakes Insurance UK Limited provide the My Home Contents Insurance Scheme, a Tenants’ Contents Insurance policy designed for those living in social housing. They have a convenient ‘Get a Quote’ option on their website, making it easy for you to obtain a quote and purchase contents insurance online. There are various comparison sites on the internet that can provide you with a free quotation, to help you make an informed decision on which one is right for you. Call Thistle Tenant Risks on 0345 450 7288 or visit thistlemyhome.co.uk to request a call back or try their new ‘Get a Quote’ online feature.
Don’t delay get protected today for peace of mind. The National Housing Federation works in partnership with Thistle Insurance Services Ltd. Thistle Insurance Services Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority Firm Reference Number 310419. Registered in England under No. 00338645. Registered office: Rossington’s Business Park, West Carr Road, Retford, Nottinghamshire, DN22 7SW. Thistle Insurance Services Ltd is part of the PIB Group.
Meet One of Our Resident Volunteers
Hi, I’m Paula and I currently attend the Residents’ Forum meetings online. How long have you been a volunteer with Fairhive?
I’ve been a volunteer for around two years.
Why did you become a more involved resident, and why do you continue?
My Neighbourhood Manager suggested I might be useful as a resident representative. I had some spare time as I was nearly retired. Although I’ve had health issues which meant stepping back from some groups, the Community Engagement Team have been very supportive, and I now attend via Teams.
What do you enjoy most about volunteering?
I’ve really enjoyed meeting the management teams and understanding the “why” of what volunteers do. The volunteers are knowledgeable and help Fairhive meet legislative requirements. I’ve learned a lot through online sessions and enjoy meeting residents from other Housing Associations across the UK who have similar concerns.
Why should other residents consider volunteering?
Being able to attend online helps. Volunteering shows interest in your home, widens friendships, and improves your knowledge. You are listened to. I want to work with all ages — we have great knowledge now, but I’d love to learn from younger residents too.
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Getting to Know You – Resident Census Results Back in December 2024, we launched our ‘Getting to Know You’ Resident Census. The aim was straightforward but important, to make sure the information we hold about you and your household is accurate and up to date. Having the right information helps us understand our residents better and shape services that genuinely meet your needs, now and in the future. This was a whole-organisation effort, our teams reached out to residents in lots of different ways, helping us connect with as many households as possible. everyone for taking part, As a thank you as ith the census w who engaged w pleased ize draw. We’re entered into a pr s have at four resident to announce th ucher. vo p Love2Sho each won a £200
to: Congratulations • • • •
Mrs Sharon Cowland Ms Kerry Creser Mr and Mrs Saunders One resident who chose to remain anonymous
How to Raise a Complaint with the Housing Ombudsman
How did we do...
• We aimed to contact 100% of residents
• We successfully updated details for 77% of households • We still need to hear from 23% of residents
If we haven’t been able to reach you yet, despite several attempts, we’ll continue to try and contact you.
What did we achieve? • We identified and resolved two cases of Tenancy Fraud, helping ensure homes are available for those who truly need them. • Welfare referrals were made for residents who needed additional help.
• Many residents were supported to report repairs, helping keep their homes safe and comfortable. • For some residents, having time to talk mattered most and we were glad to be there.
Thank you to everyone who took part. Your involvement helps us improve our services and build a stronger, more supportive community for everyone.
The Housing Ombudsman are no longer accepting complaints raised by email. In order to raise a complaint with them, you will need to do so on their website: housing-ombudsman.org.uk/residents/ bring-your-complaint-to-the-housing-ombudsman
If you are unable to use the online form then please call them on 0300 111 3000 and someone will be able to support you. This change doesn’t affect any cases that have already been raised with them.
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What are the Tenant Satisfaction Measures?
The Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) has a system for assessing how well social housing landlords in England are doing at providing good quality homes and services. This involves a set of Tenant Satisfaction Measures that social housing landlords must report on. As part of this, all landlords will need to collect feedback through resident surveys and share the results with their residents and the Regulator. Residents will be able to use these measures to understand how we are doing.
What do the Tenant Satisfaction Measures cover?
There are 22 measures in total which fall under five main themes: • Keeping properties in good repair • Maintaining building safety
• Effective complaints-handling
• Respectful and helpful tenant engagement • Responsible neighbourhood management 10 of the 22 measures will be directly measured using data landlords have – for example, how many homes meet the Decent Homes standard set by government, or how many complaints were responded to within the Housing Ombudsman’s Code timescales. The remaining 12 measures will be gathered by surveying our residents by either telephone or via an online link in an email.
Who will contact me?
We have commissioned IFF Research, an independent social and market research agency, to undertake these surveys on our behalf. The number IFF Research will call from is 0203 148 7635, between 9am-8pm Monday – Friday and between 11am4pm on Saturdays. Online surveys will come from, myopinions@iffresearch.com and reminder emails will be sent from myopinions@iffresearch-dm. com. Not all residents will be contacted as IFF will contact a random sample of our residents (enough to make sure the data is reliable). If you have not been contacted but want to tell us what you think, please email contact@fairhive.co.uk.
Is my feedback confidential?
IFF Research can keep your responses completely anonymous, and you do not have to answer any questions you do not want to. IFF won’t include anything in their results that could personally identify an individual. At the end of the survey, the person calling will ask you if you would be happy for us to contact you and you can always say no.
Scam Awareness Scams are becoming more convincing, and anyone can be caught out. From fake delivery messages to calls pretending to be your bank or landlord, scammers are getting better at sounding official. The good news? A few simple checks can help you stay one step ahead.
Common scams to watch out for: • Unexpected messages or calls asking for personal details, payments or one-time passcodes
• Urgent requests – pressure to “act now” is a big red flag • Links in texts or emails that look real but lead to fake websites
• Requests to pay in gift cards, bank transfers or cryptocurrency, legitimate organisations won’t ask for this Top tips to protect yourself:
• Stop and think, scammers rely on panic or excitement
• Don’t click links in unexpected emails or texts • Never share personal details such as passwords, PINs or verification codes
• Check independently – contact the organisation using a trusted phone number or website, not the one provided in the message
What if someone claims to be from Fairhive?
If you’re unsure whether a message, call or visit is genuine, pause and contact us directly using our official contact details. If you think you’ve been targeted: • Report scams to Action Fraud
• Contact your bank straight away if money or details have been shared • Let us know if a scam mentions Fairhive or housing-related issues
Scams can affect anyone, but staying informed and talking about them helps keep our community safer. If something doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts, it’s always ok to double-check.
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t c a t n o C r u O t e e M Centre Team! who help the friendly voices and faces Our Contact Centre Team are airs, and wering queries about rent, rep residents every day. From ans plex com re mo ding residents through neighbourhood matters to gui in. nt of contact when you call situations. They’re the first poi
Ryan
Customer Service Advisor
What does a typical working day look like for you?
The phone lines open at 8:45am, so I need to be logged on by 8:40am, coffee in hand! Once calls start, it’s busy until lunch, and then again until 5:15pm. We handle all sorts of enquiries from rent queries, repairs, anti-social behaviour reports, calls for Neighbourhood Managers, gas and electrical tests, allocations, and occasionally queries about bins or council tax which we direct to the local council. Every call is different, and I enjoy solving problems and finding new ways to help residents.
What do you enjoy the most about your role?
I enjoy helping and speaking to all different types of people. Every call is unique, from simple questions to extremely complex situations.
What wouldn’t most people know about you?
Gemma
Customer Service Advisor What does a typical working day look like for you?
I check our rota to see whether I’m on calls or emails and confirm my lunch time to ensure the phones are covered. Some days I switch between calls and emails depending on demand. I’m also on reception duty once a week, helping visitors, arranging meetings, and dealing with deliveries. My main role is being the first point of contact for residents, resolving queries on rent, repairs, neighbourhood matters, or planned works.
What do you enjoy the most about your role?
Helping others and providing excellent service. I thrive on using my communication skills to build strong relationships with residents and colleagues.
Over the past 12 months, I’ve helped raise over £12,000 for charity as part of the Bearded Villains, a global community of volunteers.
When I’m not working, I can be found…
Little Village – supporting families with essentials from cots to clothes, while building community networks.
My motto is…
UKHomes4Heroes – helping members of the armed forces in need with housing, food, and essential support. Mind – supporting people with mental health challenges and advocating for lasting change.
What was your role in the fundraising? I helped organise events like raffles, beard competitions, talks from charity representatives, sponsored walks, auctions, and even cold-water plunges!
These charities make a huge difference in people’s lives with little support. I want to do my bit to help wherever I can.
What three words best describe you? Compassionate, approachable, problem-solver.
Baking biscuits or practising Tai Chi, which is my moving meditation.
If you are going to do anything, do it with all your heart.
What three words best describe you? Dedicated, patient, thoughtful.
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Sarah
Customer Service Advisor What does a typical working day look like for you?
I log on and manage emails, workflows, and calls throughout the day, supporting residents and working closely with my team.
What do you enjoy the most about your role?
Working alongside a fantastic team who all strive to provide excellent service to our residents.
When I’m not working, I can be found…
At the theatre, cinema, building Lego, reading, playing Play Station, travelling, or spending quality time with friends and family.
What’s something you always make time for? Family and friends, they’re my top priority.
What three words best describe you? Friendly, reliable, caring.
Calling All Green Fingers!
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Are you working on your garden for summer? Whether it’s a veggie patch, a colourful flowerbed, or some creative potted plants, we want to see it!
Our Great Gardens Competition is here to celebrate your gardening skills. This is your chance to showcase your hard work and creativity while inspiring others to get involved in making our communities greener and more vibrant.
rdens Great Gnaers Win
Who can enter?
All Fairhive residents are tter welcome to enter! No ma or the size of your outdoor indoor space, every effort te for counts. The opening da April 1 ay entries is Wednesd te 2026, and the closing da 2026. will be Sunday 14 June Categories include: • Best Overall Garden n • Best Communal Garde n rde Ga e • Best Edibl
Prizes to be won!
Winners wil l receive vouchers an d their gard ens might featu re in future editions of R esidents Ne ws. Winner
£75 vouche
r
Runner-Up
£50 vouche
Highly Com
r
mended
£25 vouche
r
Visit our website fairhive.co.uk/estate-services for more details on how to enter later this year as well as find tips and inspiration.
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N E I G H B O U R H O O D Return it with your name and address to Puzzle Time, c/o The T F A M I L Y T L H N A E Communications Team, Fairfax O L R S H S A O E H A E T House, 69 Buckingham Street, Aylesbury, Bucks, HP20 2NJ. E I D E D I C A T E D U E The closing date for the entry draw is Friday 24 April 2026 NEIGHBOURHOOD HOMES VOLUNTEER and the winner will receive a SUPPORTING ENQUIRIES PATIENT £50 voucher and have their TEAM DEDICATED FAMILY name published in the next We are pleased to announce the winnerREPAIRS of our ResidentsADVISOR News Summer Issue 64 RELIABLE edition of Residents News! Puzzle is Maureen French. Congratulations and we hope you enjoy the shopping voucher.
er! Winter Winn
We are pleased to announce the winner of our
Rent a garage with us asResidents a News Winter Issue 66 Puzzle Baron Endersby. Congratulations and we hope you enjoy the shopping voucher. low cost storage solution! Housing Disrepair Claims – Don’t Get Caught Out Have you been contacted to make a disrepair claim or been asked whether you have outstanding repairs by someone other than your landlord? Wouldn’t that money be better invested in your home and community, rather than going to legal firms?
Report your repair via the My HomeHub app, call us on 01296 732600 or emailing us at contact@fairhive.co.uk
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By working with us you’ll be helping to make sure your rent money goes into investing in repairs and improvements for your home rather than into the pockets of unscrupulous legal firms.
For more information please contact 01296 732600 or email contact@fairhive.co.uk
Fairhive is able to produce this document in other languages and formats. If you need these services, or those of an interpreter, please contact us.
Fairhive Homes Ltd Fairfax House, 69 Buckingham St, Aylesbury HP20 2NJ | Tel 01296 732600
fairhive.co.uk
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