Many tenants already take an active part in decisions affecting the management of their homes. In order that they can raise the level and quality of their participation and to enable other tenants to begin to participate, it is essential that they have the information, skills and confidence to make a real difference.

The Tenant Empowerment Programme provides a wide range of training events and conferences, including information and advice, which are open to both local authority and housing association tenants and residents.  These are available from a variety of providers, and tenants are encouraged to take part in the training and conference events most suited to their needs.  Local authorities also provide training for tenants, and it is important for tenants to discuss training needs with the local authority first of all.

The national tenant helpline and information service

The Tenant Empowerment Programme funds InSTEP to provide a free helpline and information service.

The service draws on an extensive bank of information and can answer most questions about tenant participation and related issues, such as:

• how tenant groups organise themselves; 
• what tenant representatives do;  
• giving ideas and suggestions for tenant involvement in all  aspects of housing management, repairs and redevelopment; and  
• explaining good practice guidelines and examples.

InSTEP also produces a range of information sheets which address particular questions and issues, such as how to set up a tenant group, how to produce a newsletter, what choice-based lettings are, the housing transfer process, etc.  These information sheets are provided at no cost for up to 10 copies and may be downloaded from the InSTEP website free of charge. 

For all questions, the helpline and information service will give helpful advice on the telephone and, if necessary, will follow it up with a written reply.

If InSTEP is unable to help with a query, it will advise on alternative sources of help to enable enquirers to obtain the information required. 

Further information is available from 9am – 5pm on every working day on FREEPHONE 0500 844 111, via e-mail to info.instep@tribalgroup.co.uk or in writing to:
InSTEP,
Tribal Hubs Ltd,
Gaunts Business Centre,
Petersham Lane,
Wimborne,
Dorset BH21 4JT.
Website: www.instepservices.co.uk


The national tenant training and conference programme

The Tenant Empowerment Programme supports a national training and conference programme which will be provided by InSTEP. The courses offer training on a wide range of topics and are run at a number of venues throughout England. Some courses are designed for people new to tenant involvement while others are for more experienced representatives who want detailed training in particular areas. Fees for attending the courses and conferences are subsidised by grant funding which reduces the costs paid by tenants or their councils.

InSTEP trainers are very experienced at working with community groups and representatives. The style of their courses is highly participative and enjoyable, building on people's existing skills and knowledge, and enabling participants to share their experiences and make useful contacts. The courses are run in appropriate venues all over the country.

The capacity building and small grants programme

The Tenant Empowerment Programme also supports a capacity building programme for tenants.  This is currently provided by the National Communities Resource Centre, based at Trafford Hall near Chester, which offers residential training and support to all those living and working in low-income communities.  Trafford Hall particularly welcomes new groups of tenants, minority ethnic groups and young tenants. People who come on courses have the chance to meet tenants from all over the country and share experiences and information.

Trafford Hall commissions courses from a broad range of experienced and reputable trainers.  These aim to guide tenants, for example, in their first steps towards helping to set up or further develop their local Tenant Participation Compact, or in organising local initiatives with confidence and to give them the skills and confidence to do so. Tenants learn useful and practical ways to get involved in local issues in their neighbourhood.  The training is particularly useful if a group of tenants from the same neighbourhood takes part together.

The programme aims to complement other training programmes, not by repeating courses but by inspiring people to take up local training and follow this on. The programme may support tenants once they have finished their training course by offering a small grant to help them get started on their community project. 

The Tenant Empowerment Programme provides grant to subsidise the cost of the training provided at Trafford Hall and bursaries are available to tenants to cover the costs of travel and childcare incurred while attending these events.

Further information about these programmes, including copies of the current training courses and conferences, can be obtained from the relevant website:
•  www.instepservices.co.uk
• www.traffordhall.com