What does it mean to be a Community Gateway?
Being a Community Gateway organisation means putting residents at the heart of what we do. At Chime Housing, we believe the people who live in our homes should have opportunities to shape our future, influence decisions and help us improve. Through Gateway Membership, residents can play an active role in ensuring our services and priorities reflect the needs of our communities.
Become a member
Membership gives you a say in how we operate. It’s written into the rules of the organisation, meaning your voice isn’t just welcomed, it’s built into the way we work.
To be a part of it, you must sign up for membership. It’s quick and easy and ensures your voice continues to help shape our services, homes, and communities.
As a member you’ll have:
A vote
Helping influence key decisions and the strategic direction of the organisation at our Annual General Meeting each September.
A stronger collective voice
Members can apply to join the Gateway Membership Team (a more formal, structured scrutiny panel), representing the interests of all customers.
Flexible ways to get involved
From staying informed and completing online surveys to joining panels or even applying to become a Tenant Board Member - you choose your level of involvement.
Invitations to member only events and meetings
Including Question Time events and focus groups
Access to discounts on everyday essentials
From staying informed and completing online surveys to joining panels or even applying to become a Tenant Board Member - you choose your level of involvement.
Training and development opportunities
By gaining new skills and gaining recognition for your involvement.
Types of membership
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All of our tenants, leaseholders and shared owners are eligible for full voting membership. That means that by signing up, you will have the right to attend our Annual General Meeting (AGM) and vote to influence our policies, services and key decisions.
Membership also enables you to:
· stand for and elect tenants and leaseholders to the Gateway Membership Team
· stand as a Group Board Member (through the Gateway Membership Team)
· receive an invite to member events and meetings such as TPAS
· sign up for Housing Perks and get hundreds of discounts on everyday essentials
· get involved in a way that suits you!
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If you aren’t a tenant, leaseholder or shared owner and you’d like to get involved, you can apply to become an associate member.
If you are over 16 and live in one of our community areas, an associate membership will give you the opportunity to support the work we do in your local area and attend meetings and events.
Associate members are also eligible to stand for election to the Gateway Membership Team.
How to sign up
Our Gateway Membership Team
Your Gateway Membership Team is here to represent you. By hearing your views, we ensure you are at the heart of what we do.
As a Gateway organisation, we are committed to making sure your voice is part of every conversation. The Gateway Membership Team is there to represent you within the organisation and has direct access to the executive team and the Board.
The Gateway Membership Team is made up of tenants and individuals who are passionate about helping to improve services for residents and are elected by Gateway Members.
Hind El Khoumssi
Chair
I became a Watford Community Housing tenant in 2016 and since then I have taken part in a Level 2 Housing Practice course that was funded by Watford Community Housing, as well as scrutiny panels, becoming a Customer Representative and most recently a GMT member. I am not afraid to discuss difficult topics, and I regularly review Stage 2 complaints with members of staff. All of these things have empowered me with so much knowledge about the housing sector and its challenges, so that now I can be a voice for the wider social housing community.
Vice-chair
I was a Watford Community Housing tenant for over 30 years as well as a member of their Housing team for 17 years. I recently became a member of the GMT in order to share my housing experience and to be the voice of tenants who are unable to raise their concerns. I also wanted to help support Watford Community Housing and the team as they continue to provide an efficient and effective service for our customers. I am committed to equal opportunities, and taking into account policies and procedures.
Sarah Compton
I have been a member of the GMT since January 2023, but I first got involved in 2019 after I completed my housing practice qualification funded by Watford Community Housing. I am passionate about helping others and as a disability advocate, I feel I can look at things from a different perspective. I strive for equality in housing and better homes for all. Being on the GMT opens opportunities and it’s great to be part of such a fabulous team. It’s so rewarding to create a positive impact.
Lynn Wheeler
Kacper Flisiuk
I am really passionate about the local community coming together and I am active in my local resident group. I am a very curious person who loves to learn new things and I adore music. As a young carer, my family are really important to me.
Tony Lankester
As well as being a member of the GMT, I am also a resident inspector and a proud mental health champion, particularly for residents with bipolar disorder – I am a firm believer in using my experiences to give back to others.
Tony has written a book that captures his journey to understanding his own body, mind and spirit, and gives ‘how to’ tips that readers can apply to their own wellness journey – read our story on that here.
Sandra Ryall
Cassandra Persand
People getting involved in their own spaces and communities is a great idea. I have had experience of things not working well where I live and it is really important to speak up to make things better. I hope I can bring new ideas to the GMT.
I have spent many years working in community centres all over Watford and I know a great deal of tenants and partner organisations. Community groups are really important and I want to work with others to tackle issues like fly-tipping and ASB.